Driver Gets 7 Years in Death of Liberty City Bicyclist

LONGVIEW — A man convicted Thursday morning of fatally driving into a bicyclist in Liberty City has received a seven-year prison sentence. Andrew Martin Shelton, 50, faced up to 20 years. He was convicted and sentenced for assault causing serious bodily injury or death. 31-year-old Brian Carr died in July 2011, two weeks after being struck. He was able to describe the driver of a white van who approached him as he lay on the ground but then fled.

Shelton, who had been in the area with a road contract crew in 2011, was arrested in March 2012 when he returned for another job. A tip notified Department of Public Safety Trooper Robbie Dillard and Texas Ranger Jason Dudley of Shelton�s presence in a local motel. His trial was held in Longview’s 124th District Court. Carr, who was born with Down�s Syndrome, was struck while pushing a bicycle near Rice Road and Debbie Street in Liberty City.