Release of Information - UPDATE 06/11/2026
On June 10, 2026, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Bell County Sheriffs
Office, served an arrest warrant for Scott Cotton, a 40-year-old Killeen resident. Cotton
was charged with Manslaughter in connection with the fatal traffic crash that occurred in
the 400 block of FM 3219 on January 1, 2026, in Harker Heights, Texas.
The Harker Heights Police Department extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to
the Bell County Sheriffs Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety for their
dedication, professionalism, and investigative work that ultimately led to Scott Cotton's
arrest in this case.
~January 6th, 2026~
On January I, 2026, Emergency Services were dispatched to the area of FM 3219 and East
Veterans Memorial Blvd in reference to an OnStar vehicle crash alarm that was activated.
Responding Officers located a blue 2006 Cadillac that had collided with a tree a short distance
away from the main traveled portion of the roadway. EMS arrived, attended to the driver and
an unresponsive passenger who was still inside the vehicle. The passenger was transported to
Seton Hospital in Harker Heights for further treatment, while the driver was transported to
Scott and White Hospital in Temple.
The passenger later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased by
Judge Gregory Johnson at 2:43 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered.
The deceased has been identified as Cierra Nowlin of Harker Heights.
The Harker Heights Police Department Traffic Management Unit is actively investigating
this crash to determine the cause of the crash and the factors that led to the collision and
death of the passenger. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to
contact the Harker Heights Police Department at 254-953-5400.
Authority:
Sonja V. Clay
Chief of Police
Harker Heights Police Department
402 Indian Trail
Harker Heights, TX 76548