Parents charged with interference in son's accident investigation

The Texas Department of Public Safety investigated a crash on County Road 144, near Farm-to-Market Road 777, on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, which resulted in charges filed against two Jasper residents.

The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 10 p.m., a 2012 GMC pickup was traveling south. It is reported that the driver was traveling at an unsafe speed as he attempted to negotiate a curve, causing the driver to lose control and travel off the road to the left, where he struck multiple trees. 

The driver identified as 18-year-old Matthew Murray of Jasper, and passenger, 18-year-old Logan Gaston were not injured.

Upon the Trooper’s arrival at the scene, he developed reason to believe the father and mother of the driver interfered with the crash investigation and the investigation into one or more alcohol-related offenses.

Todd McDonald, 57, and 48-year-old Angela McDonald presented themselves to the Jasper County Jail for interference with public duties, a misdemeanor offense.

They went before Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Mike Smith who set a Personal Recognizance bond of $1,000 each which they posted and were soon released.