September 4, 2019 902 PM
MARFA — A Marfa boy was likely not wearing a seatbelt when he was killed last month in a car accident, investigators say.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has released its report of the single-vehicle accident that killed Marfa Elementary student Zechariah Dodson, 11, and sent his father, Billy Dodson, 48, to the hospital.
Among the report’s key findings: That Zechariah Dodson was using no form of restraints when he was ejected from the front passenger’s seat during a rollover accident, according to a DPS investigation. He died at the scene about six miles east of Marfa on U.S. Route 90.
His father, Billy, was wearing a shoulder and lap belt. He had non-incapacitating injuries and was taken to the Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine for treatment, according to the report.
The accident report also provides more information on how the fatal accident occurred. After swerving left to avoid deer, the older Dodson overcorrected to the right and started rolling, according to the report.
No criminal charges are pending, according to DPS. The Presidio County District Attorney’s Office also confirmed it has not filed charges — but said there could be a possibility of charges if Zechariah wasn’t buckled in.
