Investigation Into Death Under Way

Staff Writer

CANTON—A man, who was found badly injured in the road on State Highway 243 west of Canton early Monday morning and later died at a Kaufman hospital, has now been identified as Travis Ainsworth, 16, Kaufman.

In a press conference held Wednesday morning Van Zandt County Investigators said Ainsworth was last seen at around 11 p.m. in the Canton Wal-Mart on June 1. He is believed to have spent all day Sunday at Lake Holbrook and was at Wal-Mart trying to find a ride back home.

"We received a call about 2:15 a.m. Monday morning that there was a man lying in the road on Highway 243 and he was badly injured," said Van Zandt County Sheriff R.P. "Pat" Burnett.

Burnett said the man was found two miles out of town and was conscious when officers arrived.

"He was conscious but not coherent. He was not stable enough to be careflighted so he was transported by ambulance to Presbyterian Hospital in Kaufman where he was dead on arrival," said Burnett.

Burnett said that his office and the Texas Rangers are working the case as a criminal offense and that Texas Department of Public Safety Officials have gathered their information should it turn out to be some sort of motor vehicle accident.

"There was no vehicle parked or skid marks," DPS Trooper Brady Lunceford said in the press conference.

"This incident could be a wide range of things, from a murder to a simple accident, but whatever it is, we have our bases covered," said Burnett.

Burnett said that leads were being followed and that it is an ongoing investigation.

"Anyone who was traveling on Highway 243 around this time is urged to call my office. If you think you might have hit something in the road, please let us know so that we can come out and take a look at your car," said Burnett.

Burnett said anyone with information regarding this incident can call his office at 903-567-4133 or call Crimestoppers and remain anonymous at 903-567-STOP.