A blue-green 1992 Ford Explorer, heading north in the 1300 block of North Main Street, struck a lamppost in Streater’s yard before hitting him. The impact threw him into the yard of a neighbor.
The driver got out of the SUV and ran east, witnesses said. He has been described as a Hispanic wearing a white T-shirt and white shorts.
Temple police quickly set up a perimeter around the area and called in extra officers, including officer McNeil Fairey and his dog Jerri, to track the suspect.
Lt. Edward Best, Temple Police Department acting public information officer, said the dog had a good scent and was able to follow it before it came to a complete stop. The suspect may have been picked up by car, Best said.
At the scene, witnesses saw Mrs. Streater come out the front door of her home and collapse.
“Her legs just went from under her,” said Michael Kelly, who raced up the street after hearing the accident. “You don’t want to know what I saw. That poor lady, I hope they get her family here soon,” Kelly said shortly after the accident.
Another witness saw the Ford Explorer parked outside a residence a few blocks away earlier in the day. She went with officers after the accident and was able to point out the house. She asked that her name not be used because the suspect had not yet been apprehended.
Temple City meter reader Anthony Quinn, visibly shaken, witnessed the accident.
“I was coming south when I saw the car speeding up the street. He just went off the road. He was speeding,” Quinn said. “At first I didn’t realize he had hit someone.”
Streater’s daughter, neighbors and family friends arrived to comfort Mrs. Streater. The family minister soon arrived as well. The Streaters were long-time members of the First Baptist Church.
Streater was retired from his position as director of Vocational Education with the Temple school district where he had worked for many years, said Regina Baird, Temple ISD public relations officer.
Doug Streater, his son, spoke from the immaculately kept yard of his parents’ home on Thursday night.
“He was just a wonderful man. Mom is doing OK; she is surrounded by everyone that loves her. Just give him an ‘Atta, boy’ in the paper.”
Temple Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Dana Marable issued a press release on Thursday afternoon. “Bill will always be remembered as a true educator and his loss will be felt by many in this community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Streater’s family in this time of loss.”
Marilyn Holster, retired superintendent of Temple ISD and a long-time friend of the man she called “Billy,” said that his contributions to Temple were innumerable.
“The fact that he did have such high standards, he expected the students to follow suit and they surely tried, I can tell you,” Ms. Holster said. “He was a very fine, professional person.
“Temple ISD had one of the finest vocational educational programs while Mr. Streater was in charge,” she said.
Officers who helped with the search were from the traffic, patrol, general investigations and canine units, and Problem Orientated Policing Unit (POPS). Scott & White EMS was dispatched at the same time as Temple police. Temple Fire and Rescue sent the ladder truck and Engine 1.
The Crash Scene Investigation unit was called to reconstruct the accident.
Justice of the Peace David Barfield pronounced Streater dead at the scene.
“I pronounced Mr. Streater dead at 1:10 p.m. and requested the body be sent to Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas for an autopsy,” Barfield said.
