Larry Don Armstrong Killed in Bicycle Crash on Seymour Highway in Wichita Falls; Driver Cooperating with WFPD Investigation.

Tragedy on Seymour Highway: Veteran Bicyclist Struck and Killed in Morning Commute

WICHITA FALLS, TX – A quiet Friday morning commute turned into a scene of horror and heartbreak on April 10, 2026, when a bicyclist riding eastbound along Seymour Highway was struck from behind by a pickup truck and fatally injured. The victim, identified by the Wichita Falls Police Department as Larry Don Armstrong, died at a local hospital despite rapid response and life-saving efforts by police, firefighters, and EMS personnel.

The crash occurred in the 1800 block of Seymour Highway, near the intersection with Denver Street – a busy commercial corridor lined with auto shops, restaurants, and retail outlets. According to authorities, Armstrong was riding his bicycle lawfully in the right lane when a 2019 Dodge pickup truck, traveling in the same direction, hit him from the rear. The driver, who has not been publicly identified, told investigators he was focused on a vehicle passing in the left lane and did not see the bicyclist ahead of him in time to avoid the collision.

The death of Larry Don Armstrong has sent ripples through the Wichita Falls cycling community, raised fresh concerns about road safety for vulnerable users, and left family members grappling with a sudden, preventable loss. As the WFPD Crash Investigation Unit continues its work, the driver remains cooperative, and no charges have been announced as of this writing.

The Incident: What Police Know

At approximately 8:20 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, dispatchers at Wichita Falls Communications received multiple calls reporting a vehicle-versus-bicyclist crash near the intersection of Seymour Highway and Denver Street. Callers described a man lying on the sidewalk with obvious severe injuries, and a pickup truck stopped nearby.

Officers from the Wichita Falls Police Department were dispatched immediately and arrived on the scene within minutes. There, they found Larry Don Armstrong – later identified by his driver’s license and confirmed by family – unconscious and suffering from traumatic injuries consistent with being struck by a large vehicle. Without hesitation, officers began life-saving measures, including CPR and bleeding control, as they awaited additional emergency resources.

Wichita Falls Fire Department personnel and EMS arrived shortly thereafter and took over medical treatment. Armstrong was stabilized enough to be transported to a local hospital – believed to be United Regional Health Care System, the area’s major trauma center – but despite aggressive efforts by emergency room staff, he was later pronounced deceased. The exact time of death has not been released, pending notification of all next of kin.

Investigation Findings: From Behind, Unseen

According to a preliminary statement released by the Wichita Falls Police Department on Friday afternoon, investigators have determined that Armstrong was riding his bicycle eastbound in the right lane of Seymour Highway. The 2019 Dodge pickup truck that struck him was also traveling eastbound, in the same lane, directly behind the bicyclist.

The driver – described only as an adult male – remained at the scene and has been fully cooperative with law enforcement. During an interview with crash investigators, the driver stated that he had been watching a vehicle pass him in the left lane. He said his attention was drawn to that passing vehicle, and as a result, he did not see the bicyclist ahead of him until it was too late to brake or swerve.

A witness at the scene, whose name has not been released, provided a statement corroborating key elements of the driver’s account. The witness reported seeing the pickup truck strike Armstrong from behind, causing the bicyclist to be thrown from his bicycle onto the sidewalk area. The witness did not indicate any erratic driving or signs of impairment from the pickup driver, but noted that the bicyclist appeared to be “where he was supposed to be” – riding near the edge of the lane.

Investigators have not yet determined whether the driver was speeding, distracted by a mobile device, or violating any traffic laws at the time of the crash. Toxicology results for the driver are standard in fatal collisions and are pending. Armstrong’s own visibility – including whether he was wearing reflective gear or using lights – is also being reviewed, though Texas law does not require bicyclists to use lights during daylight hours.

The Victim: Who Was Larry Don Armstrong?

While the Wichita Falls Police Department has released limited personal information about Larry Don Armstrong, those who knew him have begun to paint a picture of a man who was no stranger to two wheels. Friends and neighbors describe Armstrong as an avid cyclist who frequently rode along Seymour Highway and other major thoroughfares in Wichita Falls. He was known to be cautious, helmeted, and familiar with traffic laws.

“Larry was careful. He knew the risks, but he loved riding,” said a neighbor who asked to be identified only by his first name, David. “He’d wave at everyone. He’d stop to help if someone had a flat tire. He wasn’t the kind of guy to take chances. This wasn’t his fault – he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time because someone wasn’t paying attention.”

According to public records, Armstrong was a long-time resident of Wichita Falls, possibly in his 50s or 60s (exact age not provided by police). He was known to frequent local businesses along Seymour Highway and often used his bicycle for both recreation and errands. Family members, who have requested privacy during their initial grief, released a brief statement through the WFPD victim services unit: “We are heartbroken. Larry was a good man, a loving father and brother. We ask for prayers and for people to please watch for cyclists. One moment of distraction changed our lives forever.”

Scene of the Crash: Seymour Highway’s Dangerous Reputation

The 1800 block of Seymour Highway, near Denver Street, is a heavily traveled stretch of road that sees thousands of vehicles daily. Seymour Highway (also known as U.S. Highway 82/287) serves as a major east-west artery through Wichita Falls, connecting the city’s downtown area with residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, and the region’s industrial zones.

Despite posted speed limits of 35 to 40 miles per hour in this section, drivers frequently exceed those limits, and the road’s design – multiple lanes, few dedicated bicycle facilities, and numerous driveways – creates a hazardous environment for cyclists. There is no designated bike lane on this segment of Seymour Highway; bicyclists are legally permitted to use the rightmost lane but must ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb.

Local cycling advocates have long identified Seymour Highway as one of the most dangerous roads in Wichita Falls for non-motorized users. According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, Wichita Falls has seen an average of 8 to 12 bicycle-involved crashes per year over the past five years, with at least one fatality every 18 to 24 months. Friday’s crash marks the first bicycle fatality of 2026 in the city.

“This is a road I refuse to ride on,” said Mark T., a member of the Wichita Falls Bicycle Club. “The traffic is too fast, drivers are distracted, and there’s no room for error. Larry was brave to ride there, but he shouldn’t have had to be. We need infrastructure that protects cyclists, not just paint on the pavement.”

Driver Cooperation and Legal Implications

The driver of the 2019 Dodge pickup truck has not been named by police, and as of Friday evening, no citations or criminal charges have been filed. The driver’s cooperation has been noted repeatedly in official statements – a factor that could influence both the investigation and any potential legal proceedings.

Under Texas law, causing a fatal collision while operating a motor vehicle can lead to charges ranging from criminally negligent homicide (a state jail felony) to manslaughter (a second-degree felony), depending on the degree of recklessness or intoxication involved. If the investigation determines that the driver was simply inattentive but not grossly negligent, charges may be less severe – or the case may be resolved through traffic citations and civil liability.

However, the fact that the driver admitted to watching a passing vehicle and failing to see the bicyclist ahead could be construed as failure to maintain a proper lookout, which is a violation of Texas’s basic safe-driving statute. Whether that rises to criminal negligence will be decided by the Wichita Falls Police Department Crash Investigation Unit in consultation with the Wichita County District Attorney’s Office.

A spokesperson for the WFPD emphasized that the investigation is ongoing: “We are processing evidence, reviewing witness statements, and analyzing the vehicle’s data recorder if available. No determination has been made regarding charges. The driver remains cooperative, and we have no reason to believe impairment was a factor, but we are awaiting toxicology results.”

Witness Appeal and Public Response

The Wichita Falls Police Department has asked anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dashboard camera footage from the area between 8:15 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. on April 10, 2026, to come forward. Even seemingly minor details – the color of a third vehicle, the exact position of the sun, the timing of traffic lights – could prove crucial to reconstructing the final moments of Larry Don Armstrong’s life.

As news of the crash spread on social media, local residents expressed a mix of sorrow and frustration. Many called for improved cycling infrastructure, including protected bike lanes on Seymour Highway or alternate routes designated as “bicycle boulevards.” Others urged drivers to put down their phones and pay attention.

“One second of looking at a passing car cost a man his life,” wrote one Facebook user. “That driver will have to live with that forever. But Larry’s family has to live without him. Please, please watch for cyclists.”

Cycling Safety in Wichita Falls: A Broader Look

The death of Larry Don Armstrong is not an isolated tragedy but part of a persistent pattern across Texas, a state with some of the highest rates of bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities in the nation. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 2025 saw 82 bicyclist deaths statewide – a slight decrease from the previous year but still far above national averages when adjusted for population.

Wichita Falls, with a population of approximately 102,000, has made some efforts to improve bicycle safety in recent years. The city has added bike lanes on sections of Kell Boulevard, Southwest Parkway, and along the Circle Trail – a multi-use path that runs for miles but does not serve major commuter corridors like Seymour Highway.

However, advocates argue that piecemeal infrastructure is insufficient. “You can’t just put a sharrow on a high-speed, high-traffic road and call it a day,” said a local transportation planner who spoke on background. “We need separated facilities, protected intersections, and driver education campaigns. And we need them now – not after the next fatality.”

In response to Friday’s crash, the Wichita Falls City Council may face renewed pressure to accelerate its bicycle master plan, which includes proposals for bike lanes on sections of Seymour Highway. However, funding and right-of-way constraints remain significant hurdles.

What Happens Next

The Wichita Falls Police Department Crash Investigation Unit is expected to complete its preliminary investigation within the next 7 to 10 days. That report will be forwarded to the Wichita County District Attorney’s Office for review. If charges are warranted, an arrest warrant or summons may be issued for the driver. If not, the case will be closed as a tragic accident with potential civil liability to be resolved in court.

Meanwhile, Armstrong’s family is making funeral arrangements. A GoFundMe campaign is expected to be established to assist with medical and burial expenses, though no verified link had been released as of Friday evening. The cycling community is planning a “ghost bike” memorial – a white-painted bicycle chained to a pole near the crash site – to honor Armstrong and remind passing motorists of the human cost of inattention.

How to Help and Where to Report Information

Anyone with information about the fatal bicycle crash on Seymour Highway is urged to contact:

Wichita Falls Police Department – Crash Investigation Unit
Phone: (940) 761-7792
Case Reference: Fatal Bicycle Crash – 1800 block Seymour Highway / April 10, 2026

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Wichita Falls at (940) 322-9888 or online at www.wfcrime.com.