Woman Charged in Mysterious Hit and Run Death
By: Lisa Carr
Updated: November 26, 2008
45-year-old Karen Dee Follis is facing charges of failure to stop and render aid in the death of 25-year-old Kristine Bufkin. Court documents say Bufkin was involved in a one-car rollover along FM 1729 near East 50th Street late last Friday night. Police say it appears she survived the accident and was walking along FM 1729, when they say Follis hit her in a Ford pick-up. They say Follis continued driving, dragging Bufkin nearly six miles to Southeast Drive and the Loop. Court documents say that's where Follis stopped and called her boyfriend to help her remove the body from the car. Then they fled the scene.
Capt. Greg Stevens with the LPD says, "There is nothing to indicate so far, that we can substantiate, that shows she acted intentionally. If Follis's involvement becomes more apparent as intentional then obviously this case can be modifed or updated with the district attorney's office and that would occur down the road."
Police say Follis and Bufkin did know each other, but the extent of their relationship is still under investigation. For now, they say it's seems to be just a strange coincidence that when Follis hit Bufkin, she was driving a truck that belonged to the family of Bufkin's boyfriend.
Police say the investigation remains open and it's possible Follis could face additional charges and they're looking into whether other people of interest in the case will end up facing charges. We'll keep you updated.
