Texas man faces charges after his 10-year-old daughter accidentally kills her stepbrother in a pickup truck incident.

In Lufkin, Texas, a father has been charged with homicide following a tragic incident involving his young daughter. Clinton Earl Johnson Jr., 31, was arrested on Tuesday and is facing charges of criminally negligent homicide after his 10-year-old daughter inadvertently struck and killed his 6-year-old stepson while driving a pickup truck at his instruction.

According to reports from the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded early on Sunday morning to an emergency call regarding a vehicle crash. Upon arrival, they discovered a Nissan Titan lodged against the rear of a porch. The scene was chaotic, with debris including wooden boards, poles, and remnants of grilled food spread across the area, as documented in a police affidavit. Tragically, the boy was located on the porch, in front of the vehicle at the time of the incident.

The series of events leading to the boy’s death reportedly began when his stepsister expressed frustration that the truck was obstructing her path while riding her tricycle. At that moment, Johnson instructed her to “scoot it up,” according to the boy’s mother. The mother revealed to authorities that while maneuvering the truck, the girl became confused and accidentally pressed the accelerator. The boy was engrossed in playing with a phone on the porch when the truck struck him.

Following the collision, the boy was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital in Lufkin, located approximately 120 miles north of Houston, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Authorities reported that both parents appeared to have alcohol on their breath, with each admitting to consuming three to four drinks during a grilling session prior to the incident.

The charges against Johnson carry significant legal implications. Criminally negligent homicide in Texas can result in a sentence ranging from six months to two years and may include a fine of up to ,000. The state’s law mandates that individuals must be at least 15 years old to obtain a learner’s driving permit, underscoring the gravity of the circumstances surrounding this incident.

As this case unfolds, it raises important questions about parental responsibility and the safe operation of vehicles, particularly involving minors. The community awaits further developments from local law enforcement and the judicial system as it strives to comprehend the tragedy that has occurred in their midst.