CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Update: Driver charged in child's traffic death

Update: Driver charged in child's traffic death

Update: Jesus Martinez Soto has been charged with criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jae McNaughton. Soto was not a licensed driver, according to Kilgore Police. Police have not disclosed whether Soto was speeding; only that he was attempting to make a left turn. The children were walking on the correct side of the road. Soto did stop after hitting them.

KILGORE (KYTX) information from the Kilgore Police Department - Early this morning, at about 6:20 am, the Kilgore Police Department responded to a report of a traffic accident involving a small child on Gulf-Hercules Road in Kilgore. When police arrived, they found five year old Jae Michael McNaughton of Kilgore had been struck by a vehicle and was seriously injured. McNaughton was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview Texas by Champion EMS.  

After his arrival at the hospital, Jae McNaughton succumbed to his injuries and died.  Another child identified as James Lane White, 16 years old - also of Kilgore - was also struck by the same vehicle. James White suffered minor injuries and was also transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

According to Kilgore Police, Jesus Martinez Soto, 28, of Kilgore made a left turn from Burns Street onto Gulf-Hercules Road while driving a 1998 Blue Ford pickup. Upon making the turn, the vehicle struck both McNaughton and White, who were crossing the intersection of Burns St. and Gulf Hercules Road. 

A third child was also walking with the two other children, but was not struck by the vehicle.  It is believed the children were walking north on Gulf Hercules Road on the way to the school bus stop.

The case is being investigated by the Kilgore Police Department Traffic Division to determine if any criminal charges will be filed against the driver.