Topline: Authorities say Johnson instructed the 10-year-old girl to “scoot up” the parked Nissan Titan because it was in the way of her tricycle.
Published: May 2, 2025 7:30 am ET
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Clinton Earl Johnson Jr. (via Angelina County Jail)
LUFKIN, TX – What began as a late-night barbecue in Lufkin, Texas, ended in tragedy when a 10-year-old girl, allegedly told to move a truck, accidentally crashed it into a porch—killing a young boy sitting just feet away.
KTRE reported Clinton Earl Johnson Jr., 31, of Lufkin, is facing a charge of criminally negligent homicide in the death of his six-year-old stepson.
According to the arrest affidavit obtained by KTRE, Johnson was grilling with the boy’s mother at their home on Oakwood Drive around 1 a.m. Sunday when the fatal crash occurred. Authorities say Johnson instructed the 10-year-old girl to “scoot up” the parked Nissan Titan because it was in the way of her tricycle. She tried—but instead, plowed into the porch, crushing the child.
“The girl got confused and got on the gas causing the accident,” the boy’s mother told investigators.
Deputies arrived to find the truck lodged in the covered porch, surrounded by splintered boards, crushed furniture, and a child lying on his back in front of the vehicle. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Chilling details from the affidavit paint a picture of chaos: grilled chicken still sitting on a nearby barbecue, a child’s tricycle near the wreckage, and the unmistakable scent of alcohol coming from both adults at the scene. Johnson and the boy’s mother allegedly admitted to having three to four drinks while cooking.
Johnson told deputies the girl had previously driven the pickup on backroads, according to the affidavit.
He was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Angelina County Jail on a $3,000 bond. Records show he bonded out Wednesday. His case now moves to the state’s criminal justice system, where prosecutors will weigh the charge of criminally negligent homicide—a state jail felony in Texas.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Man Charged After Instructing 10-Year-Old to Move Truck That Crashed Into Porch, Killing Young Boy
Authorities say Johnson instructed the 10-year-old girl to “scoot up” the parked Nissan Titan because it was in the way of her tricycle.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 2, 2025 7:30 am ET
Clinton Earl Johnson Jr. (via Angelina County Jail)
LUFKIN, TX – What began as a late-night barbecue in Lufkin, Texas, ended in tragedy when a 10-year-old girl, allegedly told to move a truck, accidentally crashed it into a porch—killing a young boy sitting just feet away.
KTRE reported Clinton Earl Johnson Jr., 31, of Lufkin, is facing a charge of criminally negligent homicide in the death of his six-year-old stepson.
According to the arrest affidavit obtained by KTRE, Johnson was grilling with the boy’s mother at their home on Oakwood Drive around 1 a.m. Sunday when the fatal crash occurred. Authorities say Johnson instructed the 10-year-old girl to “scoot up” the parked Nissan Titan because it was in the way of her tricycle. She tried—but instead, plowed into the porch, crushing the child.
“The girl got confused and got on the gas causing the accident,” the boy’s mother told investigators.
Deputies arrived to find the truck lodged in the covered porch, surrounded by splintered boards, crushed furniture, and a child lying on his back in front of the vehicle. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Chilling details from the affidavit paint a picture of chaos: grilled chicken still sitting on a nearby barbecue, a child’s tricycle near the wreckage, and the unmistakable scent of alcohol coming from both adults at the scene. Johnson and the boy’s mother allegedly admitted to having three to four drinks while cooking.
Johnson told deputies the girl had previously driven the pickup on backroads, according to the affidavit.
He was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Angelina County Jail on a $3,000 bond. Records show he bonded out Wednesday. His case now moves to the state’s criminal justice system, where prosecutors will weigh the charge of criminally negligent homicide—a state jail felony in Texas.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Charged After Instructing 10-Year-Old to Move Truck That Crashed Into Porch, Killing Young Boy
Authorities say Johnson instructed the 10-year-old girl to “scoot up” the parked Nissan Titan because it was in the way of her tricycle.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 2, 2025 7:30 am ET
Clinton Earl Johnson Jr. (via Angelina County Jail)
LUFKIN, TX – What began as a late-night barbecue in Lufkin, Texas, ended in tragedy when a 10-year-old girl, allegedly told to move a truck, accidentally crashed it into a porch—killing a young boy sitting just feet away.
KTRE reported Clinton Earl Johnson Jr., 31, of Lufkin, is facing a charge of criminally negligent homicide in the death of his six-year-old stepson.
According to the arrest affidavit obtained by KTRE, Johnson was grilling with the boy’s mother at their home on Oakwood Drive around 1 a.m. Sunday when the fatal crash occurred. Authorities say Johnson instructed the 10-year-old girl to “scoot up” the parked Nissan Titan because it was in the way of her tricycle. She tried—but instead, plowed into the porch, crushing the child.
“The girl got confused and got on the gas causing the accident,” the boy’s mother told investigators.
Deputies arrived to find the truck lodged in the covered porch, surrounded by splintered boards, crushed furniture, and a child lying on his back in front of the vehicle. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Chilling details from the affidavit paint a picture of chaos: grilled chicken still sitting on a nearby barbecue, a child’s tricycle near the wreckage, and the unmistakable scent of alcohol coming from both adults at the scene. Johnson and the boy’s mother allegedly admitted to having three to four drinks while cooking.
Johnson told deputies the girl had previously driven the pickup on backroads, according to the affidavit.
He was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Angelina County Jail on a $3,000 bond. Records show he bonded out Wednesday. His case now moves to the state’s criminal justice system, where prosecutors will weigh the charge of criminally negligent homicide—a state jail felony in Texas.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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