On November 11, at approximately 1:59 p.m., deputies from the Howard County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) were dispatched to 12377 West 500 North for an unconscious unresponsive male. Upon arrival, deputies and St. Vincent emergency personnel located a male lying on his back who was unconscious and not breathing. Medical personnel began rendering medical aid to the male to no avail. The Howard County Coroner’s was then called to the scene at 2:23 p.m.
The deceased has been identified as James Richard Byrum, age 61 of Howard County. An autopsy was conducted under the direction of the Coroner’s Office on Sunday, November 14.
The immediate cause of death has been determined to be the result of blunt force trauma from a farm tractor accident. The investigation indicates there was an equipment malfunction that resulted in the accident. Foul play is not suspected.
Howard County Sheriff’s Office and Howard County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate this incident. The HCSO was assisted on scene from members of St. Vincent Medical Services, Galveston Volunteer Fire Department and the Howard County Emergency Management.
Anyone with additional information may call the Howard County Sheriff’s Office at 765-456-2020 or the Howard County Coroner’s Office at 765-456-1186.