Autistic teen killed in Cherokee County identified
Posted/updated on: August 7, 2025 at 2:39 am
CHEROKEE COUNTY – A 16-year-old boy with autism died early Sunday morning after he was hit by a pickup truck. According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Chris Williamson, the incident occurred near Farm to Market Road 856 where the boy was struck by a 2025 Toyota Tundra pickup truck around 5:20 a.m.
Williamson said the boy was run over in the roadway and pronounced dead at the scene of the incident. The teen’s body was taken to Forensic Medical Management Services in Tyler for an autopsy. The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators. DPS is investigating the incident.
In a letter to parents, Bullard ISD Interim Superintendent Jan Hill identified Andrew “Drew” Daigle, a 10th grade student at Bullard High School, as the teen who died. He was the son of one of the district diagnosticians in its special education department. He also had a twin sister who attends Bullard High.
“Drew was very sweet and a joy for all to be around. Drew has been part of the Bullard ISD family his entire school career,” Hill said in the letter.
Counselors are available to provide support, and they can be contacted at (903) 894-3272 if anyone needs support, Hill said.
