The Texas man struck and killed by the Dropkick Murphys tour bus early Sunday may have been attempting to cross a busy interstate highway before the accident, according to his family.
The police department in Round Rock, Texas, identified the man as Dalton Lane Clark, 23, of Cedar Park, Texas, and said it was investigating his death as an “accidental fatality.’’ The driver of the bus has not been cited, police said.
The popular Boston band had been scheduled to play Sunday night in Oklahoma but canceled the show after the early-morning crash. Clark was struck about 3 a.m. just north of Austin on Interstate 35 northbound.
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The band is expected to continue its tour with a performance in Mexico City this week.
RELATED: Dropkick Murphys bus strikes, kills man in Texas
“As much as it pains us to miss a show and we truly apologize for it, we’d like to stop and acknowledge that a man has lost his life. Please keep him and any family he might have in your prayers,” the band’s Facebook post said.
According to a statement from the victim’s family, Clark spoke to a family member over the phone shortly before the accident and said that he was on his way home.
Based on that phone call, the statement said family and friends believe Clark was attempting to cross Interstate 35.
The family said it does not believe Clark’s death was the result of a suicidal act.
Clark leaves “a very loving family, coworkers, and friends,” as well as a 19-month-old son, Aidan, the statement said.
“Dalton was loved & he loved back wholeheartedly and had a zest for life & family,” the statement said. “In our loss, our sympathies goes out to the Dropkick Murphys Band Members & Bus Driver involved. We would like to thank them for recognizing that a loss of life did happen, that our family is grieving, and we commend the way the band & driver handled this loss.”
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A GoFundMe page was created Monday to help raise money for Clark’s fiancee, Danielle Phillips, to help her pay bills, funeral costs, and for their son’s college fund.
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Trisha Thadani can be reached at trisha.thadani@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @TrishaThadani.