DENTON, TX, Dec. 1, 2022 – One male suspect has been arrested after Denton PD detectives witnessed him tampering with the vehicle connected to Thanksgiving’s fatal hit-and-run case. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Tony Gray, is charged with Tampering or Fabricating Physical Evidence with the Intent to Impair or Destroy, and Accident Involving Personal Injury or Death.
At about 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24, officers were dispatched to a hit-and-run crash on westbound University Drive. Responding officers located a pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle, and the Denton Fire Department transported the pedestrian to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The victim has since been identified by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner as 62-year-old David Phillips.
After analyzing vehicle pieces left at the scene of the crash, detectives were able to determine the suspect vehicle was a 2007 to 2009 Hyundai Elantra. After Denton PD issued a news release with this detail, detectives received various tips from the public. At least one of these tips led detectives to 28-year-old Tony Gray, a Denton resident. During their investigation, detectives were able to confirm that Gray had access to a 2007 Hyundai Elantra. They also discovered Gray planned to have that vehicle destroyed.
On the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 30, detectives located the suspect with the 2007 Elantra and observed him actively removing one of the vehicle’s license plates. They also confirmed Gray had attempted to set up a meeting that same evening to have the vehicle crushed. Detectives arrested Gray on site for Tampering or Fabricating Physical Evidence with the Intent to Impair or Destroy, and they applied for an arrest warrant for Accident Involving Personal Injury or Death, which was granted by a judge. Gray is currently at the City of Denton Jail on a $60,000 bond.
We are grateful for our Traffic Investigations, Criminal Investigations, and Forensic Science Units for diligently working to identify the vehicle and driver involved in this case. We are also thankful for the members of the public who took the time to send in tips, as those directly led to the suspect being identified. If you have any information about this hit-and-run crash that may be relevant to the ongoing investigation, please call Traffic Investigator Yancy Green at 940-349-7941, or to report a tip anonymously, you can call Denton County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-388-TIPS (8477).