BEAUMONT, Texas — A Mauriceville man accused of hitting and killing a Beaumont man with a vehicle is charged with murder,
The deadly incident happened Sunday at The Trace at North Major apartment complex shortly around 2:30 a.m., according to a Beaumont Police Department release. Officers responded to the area after receiving a call about a victim who was hit by a vehicle.
The apartment complex is located at 3875 North Major Drive.
When officers arrived, they found Christopher Matthews, 38, of Beaumont near the back of the complex suffering from severe injuries. He was taken to an area hospital in critical condition where he later died, according to the release.
Officers later learned Matthews called the police at 2:28 a.m. His call was regarding a noise complaint coming from a residence in the 3900 block of Cheryl Lane.
The residence is located behind the apartment complex. Before officers got to the scene, a disturbance broke out between Matthews and several other people from the residence.
During the disturbance, police believe Max Lee Keath, 45, of Mauriceville, left the residence in his vehicle, drove to the apartment complex, ran over Matthews in the parking lot and fled the scene, according to the release.
Police interviewed multiple witnesses at the scene and later found and interviewed Keath.
Keath was first charged with aggravated assault. That charge was later upgraded to murder after Matthews died, according to the release.
Keath is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail on a $1 million bond. Justice of the Peace Ben Collins has ordered an autopsy.
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From a Beaumont Police Department release;
On Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 2:32 a.m., Beaumont Police responded to 3875 N Major in reference to a victim that had been struck by a vehicle. When Officers arrived, they located the victim near the back of the apartment complex suffering from severe injuries. He was transported to a local hospital and listed in critical condition. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the victim called police at 2:28 a.m. in reference to a noise complaint coming from a residence in the 3900 block of Cheryl, behind the apartment complex. Prior to Officers arriving, a disturbance between the victim and several subjects from the residence on Cheryl occurred. During the disturbance, Max Lee Keath, a 45 year old Mauriceville resident (pictured below), left the residence on Cheryl in his vehicle, drove to the apartment complex and ran over the victim in the parking lot, then fled the scene. BPD Detectives responded and interviewed multiple witnesses, then located and interviewed Keath. Following the interview, Keath was placed under arrest for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. On Sunday evening, the victim died from his injuries and BPD Detectives upgraded the Aggravated Assault charge to Murder.
The victim has been identified as Christopher Matthews, a 38 year old Beaumont resident.
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