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5 By Will Pafford, Staff Writer
A Travis County resident involved with a fatal collision on Bee Cave Road was charged with criminally negligent homicide, a felony, on June 24.
Richard R. Hanson, 68, turned himself in to the Travis County Jail on June 29 after Travis County officials issued a warrant for his arrest. He is no longer in jail, according to jail records.
Hanson was involved in a collision at 10714 Bee Cave Road that resulted in the death of another driver, Linda Gail Hartner.
According to the arrest affidavit, Hanson was traveling west on Bee Cave Road in the outside lane on the day of the collision.
As Hanson approached a sharp curve in the road, his gold Toyota Tundra pickup truck drifted into the inside lane, striking a white Mazda RX-8.
Both vehicles began to fish tail and they collided a second time before Hanson lost complete control of his truck and skidded into oncoming traffic that was traveling east, according to the affidavit.
Hartner, who was driving a Toyota Yaris eastbound, hit Hanson’s passenger side door head-on, according to the affidavit.
Hartner died at the scene.
Officials spoke with Hanson and learned that Hanson was driving home from a prior afternoon workout session before the accident.
“Hanson may have been fatigued or asleep driving his vehicle and may not have reacted in time to prevent the crash,” according to the affidavit.
Linda’s obituary ran in the Austin American-Statesman on 24-April-2009.
Linda Gail Hartner, 54, died suddenly on April 21, 2009 in Austin, Texas. Linda was born October 6, 1954 in Galena Park, Texas to Kirby and Helen Tatum, who both preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, William Henry Hartner; four children, Stephen Brent Jenkins and wife Kathryn Meehan, William Matthew Hartner, Leah Ann Hartner and fiancé Nathan Wolfers, Erin Kate Hartner and two grandchildren, all of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by three brothers, Gary Tatum and wife Linda, Stephen Tatum and wife Nan, and Michael Tatum all of Houston, Texas; and her aunt, Imogen West of Fairview, Texas, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. One grandchild, Ember Rose Fenton-Hartner, preceded Linda in death.
Linda was the most loving, caring, and special mom to all her children and to all of her children’s friends who all thought of her as a second mom. As a loving daughter, she cared endlessly for her parents before their passing. Linda worked as a home healthcare provider extending her generous and loving self to all she cared for and especially to Mrs. Walker. Linda enjoyed playing the guitar, knitting, walking on the beach, listening to live music in Austin, playing darts at the Gingerman with her husband and children, cooking holiday meals for her family as her mom, Helen, did, and most of all, laughing with her children. Linda is in heaven now holding her precious grandbaby Ember Rose, caring for her parents and our special friend, Tracey, like she has for everyone throughout her life. We will forever and ever have you in our hearts Linda and will hold you once again in our arms. We all love and miss you Linda so very very much.
Visitation will be held at Beck Funeral Home, 15709 Ranch Rd 620, Austin TX 78717, (512) 244-3772, at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2009 with a funeral service to begin at 1:00 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Hudson Bend Cemetery, located on Double Dome Road, 1 mile south of Mansfield Dam on RR 620.
wow im speechless they are charging someone. Alot of family members who have lost loved ones due to someone else negilgence are told they have to prove intent…dont get me wrong…if everyone at fault for killing someone with thier car were charged people would maybe drive better. But why this case when so many others are ignored?
im sorry if that commnent came off wrong. This is the way it should always be handled…but is not…condolances to the families
Andrea, my heart goes out to you on this Christmas day, Bill
Andrea, my heart goes out to you on this Christmas day 2010, Bill