City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: APD Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email
Case: 23-1960747
Time: 12:14 p.m.
Date: Saturday, July 15, 2023
Location: 4900 block of FM 2222 Road
Deceased: Denis Joe Watkins, White male, 12/21/1957
On Saturday, July 15, 2023, at approximately 12:14 p.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to a crash between a motorcyclist and an SUV driver in the 4900 Block of FM 2222 Road. The motorcyclist, Denis Joe Watkins, died on the scene. The SUV driver remained on the scene, was not impaired, and cooperated with the investigation.
This incident is being investigated as Austin's 53rd fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 53 fatalities for the year. On the date of this crash in 2022, 57 fatal crashes resulted in 58 deaths.
These statements are from the initial assessment of the fatal crash, and the investigation is still pending. Fatality information may change.
Anyone with any information should contact APD's Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.