Bicyclists killed in Waller County hit-and-run identified; suspect in custody

WALLER COUNTY – A suspect was taken into custody Saturday, in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash in Waller County that killed two bicyclists and injured another, state police and Waller County officials said.

Mark Newkirk found the man in his living room. "He was just standing in (the room), and he goes, 'hey!' I just stayed calm and he stayed calm." 

"I said what can I do for you? He said, 'I'd like to hang out a little bit.' I said, 'No. I think you need time turn yourself in.'"

Newkirk wasn't hurt. He said Tome was able to find his guns, but they weren't loaded.

"That freaked me out," Newkirk said. "Whoa. I got lucky."

Newkirk drove Tome to police. In turn, police now have to piece together the why.

"He said he had split personalities and demons talking to him and stuff like this," Newkirk said. "He went on (saying), 'Everybody thinks I'm a Russian spy.'"

Victor Kevin Tome, 25, is considered a person of interest, according to the Waller County Sheriff's Office. Officials were unclear as to Tome's role in the incident, but confirmed a car crashed into a group of bicyclists near the intersection of Buller Road and Muske Road near Brookshire Saturday around noon.

Two bicyclists, Keri Blanchard Guillory, 48, and Craig Randall Tippit, 37, were pronounced dead at an area hospital. The third was reported to have suffered a leg injury, State Police said.

Braeden Sawyer, who rode with the group told KPRC, "My heart just goes out to the families. It was supposed to be a great day and a great ride."

The area surrounding the accident had been on lockdown for most of the afternoon Saturday, as dozens of law enforcement officials searched for the driver of the car. Officials said he ran from the scene after striking the group.

It was unclear Saturday afternoon whether Tome was the driver of the car. State Police said they were working to interview him.

The driver of the car was described as a light skin male approximately 5'10 to 6 feet tall, wearing military fatigues and long dark pants and a tan or green backpack.

Officials were still working to secure the scene as of 4:45 p.m. Saturday. Names of the bicyclists killed were not released as of Saturday afternoon.

The Center Houston, which held the SpringFest bicycle ride, posted this message on its Facebook page: 

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