Man cleared in crash that killed Arlington officer, new suspect identified

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office announced that Joshua Watson, initially arrested in February and previously identified as a suspect in the crash that claimed the life of Arlington Police motorcycle officer Darrin McMichael in September 2023, no longer faces any charges. Watson, 26, was released from the Dallas County Jail four days after his arrest, and the arrest warrant against him was dismissed.

Authorities revealed on Friday that another individual, 22-year-old Ryan Shamar Luckett, has been identified as the new suspect in the fatal crash. Luckett is currently serving time in a Mississippi state prison for parole violation. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department placed a detainer on Luckett pending his release from the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

The sheriff’s office has not disclosed the factors that led to Watson or Luckett being identified as suspects in the case. Additionally, it remains unclear whether Luckett has legal representation to advocate on his behalf.

Arlington Police reported that Officer McMichael was commuting to work on his police-issued motorcycle when he collided with an SUV in front of him, resulting in his fall. Tragically, McMichael was subsequently struck by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene without stopping. McMichael’s wife, Linette, also an Arlington police officer, witnessed the devastating incident while following behind her husband in another vehicle.

Community support rallied behind efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice, with over $35,000 raised as a reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect. It remains uncertain whether anyone will claim the reward.

McMichael, a dedicated officer who joined the Arlington Police Department in January 1999, served in various capacities during his nearly 25-year tenure, including roles as a patrol officer and detective.