Police said alleged street racing contributed to the collision that killed William and Sandra Lazarus at a busy McKinney intersection.
McKINNEY, TX — A 51-year-old driver has been charged with two counts of manslaughter after police said he was racing before a crash that killed a 77-year-old McKinney couple.
McKinney police identified the driver as James Armont. Authorities allege he was driving a BMW when it collided with a Hyundai carrying Sandra Lee Lazarus and William Lavich Lazarus on July 17. Both occupants of the Hyundai were pronounced dead at the scene. The criminal charges are accusations, and Armont has not been convicted.
Officers responded to the intersection of Custer Road and Bedford Road at about 6:26 p.m., according to information released after the crash. Early police reports described the collision as involving a silver Hyundai and an orange BMW. Investigators later said they believed street racing played a role, but authorities have not publicly released a full account of the vehicles’ movements before impact.
Armont and passengers in the BMW were taken to a hospital after the collision. Police said their injuries were not considered life-threatening. Initial reports did not identify the passengers or provide further information about their conditions.
No charges had been announced immediately after the crash. Police said at the time that the investigation remained active and that officers were working to determine what caused the collision. The later filing of two manslaughter counts marked a major development in the case, though officials have not disclosed all evidence supporting the allegations.
Residents living near the intersection told FOX 4 that speeding has been a continuing concern in the area. Romara Pimpleton, who heard the crash from her home, described the sound as intense and said she believed immediately that someone had been killed. Another longtime resident, Mariela Barnett, said dangerous driving can have serious consequences for people who are not involved.
The deaths also affected the Allen school community. Local reporting identified William and Sandra Lazarus as former Allen Independent School District employees. Additional details about their work and the district’s response were not immediately available from official sources reviewed for this report.
Police have not publicly identified another suspected racing driver or announced whether additional arrests are expected. Information about Armont’s bond, court representation and next scheduled court appearance also had not been released in the reports reviewed.
The investigation remains active. Authorities have asked witnesses and anyone with information about the collision to contact the McKinney Police Department’s crime tip line. Police have not announced when a complete crash report or further evidence will be released.
Author note: Last updated July 28, 2026.