Pittsburg man arrested in fatal hit-and-run crash

A Pittsburg man is now in custody charged with criminal negligent homicide related to a July 17 hit-and-run fatality wreck in Upshur County.

    James Martin Morris, 57, is currently being held in the Upshur County Jail after his arrest July 22. The accident took place just before the noon hour on U.S. Highway 271 three miles north of Gilmer.

    The victim, Fredrick Antonio Fountain.40, of Mount Vernon, died a day later in a Tyler hospital. The father of five was laid to rest in a private service July 22.

  “We want the people who were in the vehicle who caused Fredrick’s death to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” a Fountain family member said. “All charges, applicable by law, need to be filed in this case.”

   Fountain, who would have turned 41 on July 28, will fondly be remembered by family and friends.

   “Fredrick loved all of his children dearly,” the family member continued. “He was a very talented artist, tattoo artist, singer and songwriter. Our family misses him so much. We really loved him. That’s why we now have to get justice for him.”

  Tips from the public after the accident ultimately helped authorities identify Morris who was seen on video surveillance inside a nearby convenience store.

     Officials with the Department of Public Safety are in charge of the ongoing investigation.