On Friday, August 9, 2024, at approximately 12:37 AM, Officers and Detectives of the Vidor Police Department located the driver of the vehicle involved in the death of Samantha Lee Townsend. Shawn Anthony Howard, 48, of Pine Forest, was located at his residence and arrested him on a warrant for second degree manslaughter.
On the afternoon of Sunday May 26, VPD received a call of a reckless vehicle that was described as a maroon Yukon traveling Northbound in the 1400 block of N. Main. At 5:40 PM the caller advised that the Maroon Yukon had just struck another vehicle in the 1500 Block of North Main head-on. Upon Officers arrival they found both drivers unconscious. Officers realized that the driver of the vehicle that was Southbound was not breathing. Officers immediately removed her from the vehicle and initiated life sustaining medical care. Unfortunately, their efforts were not successful, and the victim was declared deceased by Acadian Ambulance Service on-scene.
Howard was driving the Yukon at an excessive rate of speed according to police when it crossed into the Southbound Lane and struck the other vehicle.
Howard was transported to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in serious condition.
After Howard was arrested, he was transported to the Orange County Jail and his bond was set by Justice of the Peace Stagner at $500,000.
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