A 51-year-old Gause resident was tragically killed in a bicycle accident involving a pickup truck on a rural Texas highway. The fatal collision occurred on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at approximately 7:50 p.m. The incident took place on U.S. Route 190 in Milam County, specifically about 0.1 mile west of County Road 215A, near the community of Cameron.
According to the preliminary investigation conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), a 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling westbound on US 190 when it struck Nakita Kim Smith, who was riding a bicycle in the same westbound travel lane. A critical factor cited by troopers was that the driver of the pickup did not see the bicyclist due to the low-light conditions present at that hour of the evening, which directly led to the impact.
Nakita Kim Smith, the bicyclist, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup truck remained at the scene following the crash and was fully cooperative with the DPS troopers and other first responders who arrived to secure the area and begin their investigation.
The crash resulted in a significant emergency response and disrupted traffic in the area for an extended period. Crews from the Cameron Fire Department, Buckholts Fire Department, Milam County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas DPS all responded to the scene. Traffic had to be rerouted while personnel worked to clear the roadway and investigators documented the evidence.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has stated that this crash remains under active investigation. As part of their standard procedure, troopers will work to finalize all details in an official crash report. A completed copy of this report can be obtained by the public through the Texas.gov website once the investigation is concluded.
This tragic incident has brought renewed attention to the dangers faced by bicyclists on rural, high-speed roadways, particularly during dusk and nighttime hours when visibility is severely reduced. It underscores the importance of heightened awareness from all roadway users and the need for safety measures to protect vulnerable individuals sharing the road with motor vehicles.
