EastTexasRadio.com Powered by Ten Stations
From Paris Police Chief Bob Hundley
We are saddened to report that William Robert Groom, 50 of Paris passed away from injuries received in an auto-pedestrian crash in the 500 block of Clarksville Street. Mr. Groom was using a wheel chair as he attempted to cross Clarksville street mid-block. A 2003 Chevrolet pickup driven by Luis R. Guevara of Sherman had just left a parking lot in the 400 block of Clarksville and did not see Mr. Groom in the roadway.
Investigation has determined that excessive speed is not a factor in the crash and that the early morning sun may have prevented the vehicle’s driver from seeing the pedestrian. Mr. Guevara is cooperating fully with the investigation and provided samples of his blood for analysis.
The department has not been able to locate any next of kin for Mr. Groom. Several friends of Mr. Groom came forward to let us know there was no local family, but he might have had ties to Louisiana, Oklahoma or Florida. Efforts to find family in those states has not been successful.
The local Salvation Army will be holding a memorial service for Mr. Groom at 2 PM, Sunday, October 2nd at their chapel.
The investigation will continue.