Tow truck driver killed in "hit and run"

A Buchanan Dam man with ties to Lampasas was killed Saturday in what authorities have said was a hit-and-run crash near Goldthwaite. 
Texas DPS authorities said 61-year-old Patrick Morin of Buchanan Dam was killed by a passing vehicle while operating his tow truck on U.S. 183 near Goldthwaite. 
Texas DPS Sgt. Bryan Washko said troopers responded to a report of a fatal hit-and-run crash on the highway. Morin was loading and securing a vehicle onto his tow truck when the driver of a pickup truck failed to move over or slow down and struck him. 
“The vehicle sustained damage and failed to stop and render aid,” Washko said in a news release. 
The driver of the pickup later was identified as 38-year-old Kerry Coates “KC” Kavanaugh of Goldthwaite.
Kavanaugh was arrested on a charge of failure to stop and render aid resulting in death, which is a second-degree felony. He was booked into the Mills County Jail on Sunday at 11:16 p.m. and remained there as of press time. 
Mills County Sheriff’s Department officials said Texas DPS authorities handled the arrest. 
Morin was pronounced dead Saturday on the scene by Mills County Justice of the Peace Kim Avants. 
In a social media post, Morin’s family members notified the public that a memorial service would take place Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church in Lampasas. 
Donations in Morin’s memory may be made to the Buchanan Dam Volunteer Fire Department and the Hill Country 100 Club.
The crash is still under investigation. Authorities said the suspect’s vehicle is believed to be a metallic brown Toyota Tundra 4X4 pick-up truck. 
Authorities said evidence at the scene showed the pickup involved in the collision had aftermarket fender flares that were painted to match, as well as factory trailer tow mirrors. The vehicle was known to be “missing the right front fender flare and right trailer towing mirror,” Washko said.  
Anyone with information about the crash should contact DPS Waco Communications at 254-759-7131.