Belton teens struck and killed by van were walking in middle of road, police say

Two Belton teenagers were walking in the middle of the road along the double-orange stripe when they were hit by a van and killed Friday night, police said Monday.

Jacob Zimmer and Dakota “Cody” Langer, both 16, were walking on Peculiar Drive in Belton, south of Cunningham Industrial Parkway about 8:20 p.m. when they were hit, Belton Police Lt. Dan Davis said.

Peculiar Drive is a two-lane service road with narrow shoulders and no sidewalks that runs parallel to U.S. 49.

“It is completely dark out there,” Davis said. “There might be some light from highway billboards, but that’s all.”

The driver was identified as a 41-year-old woman. The driver left the scene but called police within about 15 minutes, Davis said. The van was a blue Dodge Caravan.

Other drivers who came upon the scene had already called 911, he said.

It was not known Monday if the driver would be issued a ticket or face any criminal charges. The investigation is still ongoing, Davis said.

This story was originally published October 1, 2018 at 10:53 AM.