PRESS RELEASE

At approximately 10:50pm, DPS was notified of a bicycle and automobile crash on Highway 12 near Woodland Drive in Orange County.

A bicyclist was legally traveling on the eastbound shoulder of Highway 12 near Woodland Drive.  A 1994 Chevrolet Camaro was traveling eastbound on Highway 12.  According to witnesses, the Chevrolet passed a vehicle to the right on the shoulder and struck the bicyclist.
The driver of the Chevrolet, Ralph Bridwell (39) of Vidor, was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.  Bridwell has since been released from the hospital.  The cyclist, Raymond Lamar Ross (38) of Orange, was pronounced dead at the crash scene.
At this time, Troopers continue to investigate this fatal crash and suspect that alcohol was a factor in this crash.