Clayton Bradley Arrested In TX Murder Of Rodney Abbott “Intentionally Struck Victim With Vehicle” In Athens

Clayton Bradley of Eustace, TX., is being held on $2.5 million bail after intentionally striking and killing a pedestrian while operating a motor vehicle in Athens Wednesday.

Rodney Abbott, 30, also from the Eustace area, was on foot when Bradley, 28, passed him while traveling in a pickup truck with a female passenger.

Bradley reportedly made a U-turn in Abbott’s direction and struck him at a high rate of speed. The truck then careened into a field and hit a tree of substantial size.

Abbott was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bradley allegedly fled the scene and was located a short time later by Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies at his nearby home.

Both Bradley and his female passenger were transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries caused by the collision with the tree.

The couple’s condition was not immediately known.

392nd District Judge Scott McKee issued an arrest warrant for murder and bond was set at $2.5 million. source

Police are urging anyone with information to contact police at 911.

Friends and family took to Facebook to remember Abbott: