Man accused of I-30 shooting appears in court

William Crunk shortly after arrest (photo by Field Walsh | TXK Today)
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A 64-year-old Desoto, Texas, man accused of shooting a fellow driver as he traveled through Bowie County last month appeared before a Bowie County judge last week.

William Calvin Crunk’s lawyer, Derric McFarland, and Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp told 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart they have been unable to reach an agreement in Crunk’s aggravated assault case at a pre-indictment hearing. Crisp said she plans to present the case to a Bowie County grand jury for indictment this month. Should the grand jury issue an indictment for Crunk, the case will proceed to trial.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Crunk was driving a white Kia SUV on I-30 east April 15 while pulling a utility trailer. The driver of a red Hyundai sedan told officers he was driving to his home in Magnolia, Ark., after a trip to Dallas to take his daughter to Love Field to catch a flight. The Hyundai driver said he noticed the Kia following him as he passed an 18-wheeler and then moved into the right lane. The shooting victim told Bowie County Sheriff’s Office investigators that the Kia passed him and then pulled in front of him and slowed down, causing the Hyundai to pass the Kia.

The Hyundai driver said the Kia then pulled up alongside him, lowered his window and fired a shot from a black revolver. The Hyundai driver said he could see and hear the gun being fired. The bullet passed through the Hyundai’s driver’s side door just below the handle and grazed his left arm. When the Hyundai driver got out of his car, the bullet fell out of his shirt and was collected by deputies.

When officers pulled over the Kia, Crunk allegedly said, “Nobody got shot,” but would say nothing else about the incident. A Taurus .357 revolver was collected from the Kia’s passenger seat which contained six bullets and one spent round. Also found in the passenger seat was an opened bottle of wine Crunk had allegedly been drinking.

A 9 mm pistol was collected from the Kia’s glove box. Deputies determined Crunk does have a Texas handgun license.

If Crunk is indicted by a grand jury he will be scheduled to appear before Lockhart for arraignment and the case will be set for trial. If convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Crunk faces two to 20 years in prison.

suspect in custody with a handgun and bottle of liquor on hood of officers car
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