Tourist bicycling across the US killed by semi truck hit-and-run in East Texas

GUN BARREL CITY, Texas ( KETK ) – A German tourist bicycling across the country was killed in a hit-and-run wreck in Gun Barrel City on Monday.

A witness called 911 around 4:09 p.m. to report seeing a man on a bicycle hit by a semi-truck on US 175 at the SH 334 overpass.

“The 911 caller observed the vehicle, which he described as a brownish medium sized semi-truck hauling what looked to him like two shipping containers, strike the victim from behind with the front right area of the truck,” according to Gun Barrel City police captain Connie Katsoulas. “He referenced the truck itself to be like the size of a garbage truck.”

Authorities said the truck continued into Eustace instead of stopping. The caller and a passerby reportedly stopped to help and pray for the victim, identified as 30-year-old Rick Mueller.

“Mr. Mueller was in the U.S. touring across the country and stopping at various historical sites meeting multiple people along his travels,” Katsoulas said. “There was a journal in his possessions with numerous entries written by himself and the new friends he met along the way, with his most recent stop in Dallas at Dealey Plaza and the Texas Schoolbook Depository Museum.”

Investigators said there is red paint transfer on the bicycle, leading them to believe the cab of the truck is red “but very dirty, giving it a rusty brown appearance described by the witness.” They said it is possible the driver of the truck was not aware he hit Mueller.

The Gun Barrel City Police Department is asking for help identifying the driver. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 903-887-7151.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.