Man sentenced in Adrian Combs' death

ANAHUAC— Earlier this month, a jury found Douglas Ray Smith guilty of manslaughter in the April 2024 death of Adrian Combs.

A jury in the 253rd State District Court returned the verdict Aug. 9 and sentenced Smith to 55 years for striking and killing Combs on FM 1405. At the time of his arrest, investigators alleged that Smith was driving recklessly and was on his phone at the time of the incident.

During testimony from the Texas Department of Public Safety, it was further revealed that Smith failed to control his speed when he struck Combs, who was riding on a bicycle, according to the office of District Attorney Cheryl Lieck Henry.

"These cases are never easy, but I'm thankful the jury got it right," First Assistant District Attorney Dane Listi said.

Listi was assisted in the prosecution of Smith by ADA Eric Carcerano, with visiting Judge John Delaney presiding. The case lasted only three days before a verdict and sentence were rendered.

Combs was an avid cyclist and was in the real estate business with his father, former County Commissioner Precinct 4 Billy Combs.

"My deepest sympathies go out to the Combs family. It is never easy to lose someone you love, but to have to lose someone as wonderful as Adrian in such a senseless and preventable manner made it all the more tragic," Lieck Henry said. "I want to thank law enforcement, the jury, the court staff, and the members of my staff who made the world a little bit more right after this verdict.

Smith, 61, is from Baytown and was identified at the time of the accident as the driver, stopping and making the call to 911 himself.