Man cleared in crash that killed Texas motorcycle cop, new suspect identified – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

The Dallas County Sheriff's Office says a man arrested and charged in the crash that killed Arlington police motorcyclist Darrin McMichael in September 2023 no longer faces any charges.

The Sheriff's Office told NBC 5 Friday that an arrest warrant charging Joshua Watson, 26, in a fatal crash resulting in death has been released and he has been released from the Dallas County Jail on February 12, four days after his arrest.

After further investigation, the sheriff's office said it identified another man as a suspect in the fatal crash, 22-year-old Ryan Shamar Luckett.

Luckett, the sheriff's office said, is currently in a Mississippi state prison after violating his parole. The Dallas County Sheriff's Department said it took Luckett into custody pending his release from the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Sheriff's Office officials did not say what led them to name Watson or Luckett as suspects in connection with the fatal crash. It is also unclear whether Luckett has obtained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

OFFICER KILLED ON THE WAY TO WORK

Arlington police officials said last year that McMichael was riding his police-issued motorcycle to work when he struck an SUV in front of him and fell. McMichael was then hit by a vehicle whose driver drove off without stopping.

McMichael's wife, Linette, who is also an Arlington police officer with the school resource officer unit, was behind her husband in another vehicle and witnessed the crash.

More than $35,000 was given as a reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect in the case. It is not yet known if anyone was eligible to claim the reward.

McMichael joined the Arlington Police Department in January 1999 and has served in numerous positions during his nearly 25 years, including patrol officer and detective.