Arrest Made in Thanksgiving Weekend Death

TYLER � Authorities have arrested Justin Wayne Staples, 30, of Tyler in the Thanksgiving weekend death of Chad Everett Davis, also of Tyler. Staples is charged with manslaughter, a 2nd degree felony. Bond is set at $100,000. Staples surrendered to authorities on November 30 and was booked into the Smith County Jail. Earlier, the investigation into Davis�s death revealed that he was killed by a vehicle that struck him in a wooded area. According to police, the vehicle was driven by a male acquaintance with whom Davis, 38, had been drinking that night.

Tyler Police received a call around 1:15 a.m. November 23 from East Texas EMS regarding an individual they were transporting to the East Texas Medical Center emergency room. EMS stated the man had somehow sustained serious injuries and police assistance was needed. Officers responded to the scene, which was located within a heavily wooded area northeast of Blue Mountain Boulevard in southwest Tyler.

Responding officers secured the scene and began speaking with those present at the time the individual was injured. During that time, officers were contacted by hospital staff and learned the individual, identified as Davis, had died. Major Crimes Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators were notified and responded to the scene. Davis�s body was sent to Dallas for autopsy.