Two Teens Arrested in Texas on Charges of Tampering with Evidence Following Student Drowning

Two teenagers were arrested in Dallas following an investigation into the accidental drowning death of 18-year-old Daniel Erving at Lake Ray Hubbard in April. Lucas Roper, 19, and a juvenile suspect, 17, were charged with tampering with physical evidence, a third-degree felony. Police alleged that after Erving drowned from falling off a railroad bridge, Roper and the juvenile failed to report the incident and actively concealed evidence. According to an arrest affidavit, suspects threw Erving’s clothing into the brush and directed the disposal of Erving’s cell phone from the vehicle. Roper also allegedly deleted communications with Erving from the device. The Dallas County Medical Examiner determined Erving's death was accidental. However, Erving’s family and legal representatives are challenging the classification, demanding the District Attorney file homicide charges. Family members criticized the police for the alleged delay in making the arrests, questioning why evidence was hidden if the death was merely an accident. The case remains under active investigation.

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