Leander motorcycle rider dies in Friday crash

By LPR Staff

Editor/POST-REGISTER

Just days before his 21st birthday, Leander resident Andrew Martinez, II, died in Lockhart on Friday night after a high-speed crash on Highway 183.

Though rumors surfaced nearly immediately that Martinez was “running from” the deputies, the Sheriff’s Department did not report the incident as a “high speed cha

se.” Rather, sources familiar with the incident suggested while deputies may have intended to make contact with Martinez regarding his rate of travel, they were not, in fact engaging in an active pursuit.

However,  a news release from the Lockhart Police Department issued on Tuesday suggested Martinez may have been attempting to avoid contact with law enforcement because he was found to have a backpack in his possession containing nearly two pounds of marijuana, as well as “numerous injectable doses of steroids.”

Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene by Caldwell County Justice of the Peace Matt Kiely.

No charges were announced against the driver of the vehicle Martinez struck, and police did not publicly identify that driver.

The investigation continues, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lockhart Police Department at (512) 398-4401.