A 30-year-old Benbrook man was killed early Sunday morning after his small sports utility vehicle crashed into a barrier on a bridge on North Collins Street and fell into a creekbed, police said.
A construction worker found Oscar Saenz's body inside a 2008 Nissan Rogue in a dry creekbed below Collins Street in far north Arlington at about 9 a.m. Sunday. Witnesses last saw Saenz leaving a nightclub, just north of the wreck, seven hours earlier, police said.
Saenz was driving south in the northbound lanes of North Collins, just south of Brown Boulevard, when he struck a concrete barrier that is connected to a bridge, said Arlington police spokeswoman Tiara Ellis Richard.
His vehicle then went off the bridge and landed below Collins Street, Richard said.
Pending toxicology results will determine if alcohol played a role in the death, Richard said.
This is the 30th traffic fatality in Arlington this year and nearly half of them involved drugs or alcohol, according to Arlington police.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Kinky Not Seeking Top Spot
After more than a year of planning a second run for the Governor's Mansion, humorist Kinky Friedman has dropped out of the governor's race today.
Friedman plans to run for agriculture commissioner instead, the same decision made earlier this month by East Texas rancher Hank Gilbert.
Friedman announced the decision after weekend meetings with the two other candidates in the governor's race: Houston Mayor Bill White and haircare magnate Farouk Shami.
"This has never been about me; this has always been about what is best for the people of Texas and the Democratic Party," Friedman said in a press release. "After my visit with Bill my mind was made up. There is a clear alternative for the people of Texas, and today I'm changing courses with a happy heart. I've determined that the best way that I can help the ticket and serve Texas families is by switching to the Ag Commissioner's race. Former Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Jim Hightower explained how much the office does and how much potential there is to do more."
From Friedman's release, he said he plans "to focus on revamping the position of Agriculture Commissioner to increase the number of farmer co-ops, improve production of biofuels and bioenergy, expand the market for Texas agriculture products, and solidify the future of Texas agriculture through numerous programs, including a doubling of the cap for the Young Farmer Loan Program and defending farmers against eminent domain."
Friedman said he also plans to set up at least one animal rescue facility in each county.
"We're going to shake things up and show folks what the office can be if you have someone there who actually cares about the job," Friedman said.
Friedman has worked in recent months to convince Democrats he is one of them despite running for governor in 2006 as an independent.
Friedman plans to run for agriculture commissioner instead, the same decision made earlier this month by East Texas rancher Hank Gilbert.
Friedman announced the decision after weekend meetings with the two other candidates in the governor's race: Houston Mayor Bill White and haircare magnate Farouk Shami.
"This has never been about me; this has always been about what is best for the people of Texas and the Democratic Party," Friedman said in a press release. "After my visit with Bill my mind was made up. There is a clear alternative for the people of Texas, and today I'm changing courses with a happy heart. I've determined that the best way that I can help the ticket and serve Texas families is by switching to the Ag Commissioner's race. Former Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Jim Hightower explained how much the office does and how much potential there is to do more."
From Friedman's release, he said he plans "to focus on revamping the position of Agriculture Commissioner to increase the number of farmer co-ops, improve production of biofuels and bioenergy, expand the market for Texas agriculture products, and solidify the future of Texas agriculture through numerous programs, including a doubling of the cap for the Young Farmer Loan Program and defending farmers against eminent domain."
Friedman said he also plans to set up at least one animal rescue facility in each county.
"We're going to shake things up and show folks what the office can be if you have someone there who actually cares about the job," Friedman said.
Friedman has worked in recent months to convince Democrats he is one of them despite running for governor in 2006 as an independent.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Workers Injured at Stadium
ARLINGTON -- Two workers were injured at Cowboys Stadium on Thursday morning when they fell from the roof to a lower level, said Tiara Richard Ellis, Arlington police spokeswoman.
An Arlington Fire Department spokesman said the men were doing maintenance on the top hatch of the stadium when they slipped.
He said the workers were not wearing safety harnesses and described their injuries as severe.
The accident happened about 7 a.m., fire officials said.
The men fell an estimated 50 to 75 feet, officials said. The injuries included broken bones, said Don Crowson, Arlington assistant fire chief. But the accident could have been much worse -- the roof rises some 300 feet above the ground.
"It's a cold morning. There was ice on the roof. It's a very dangerous and slippery environment up there," Crowson said. "They were lucky they hit the bottom of the roof and didn't fall off."
The most-seriously injured man was transported to a hospital by air ambulance about 8:50 a.m.
Members of the Arlington Fire Department's technical rescue team could be seen on the top of the stadium during the rescue operation.
"Every rescue is dangerous for firefighters. It's a dangerous environment up there but our people are well trained. They used safety equipment to keep themselves and the patients safe," Crowson said.
Crowson said the men were lowered from where they fell.
Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said investigators were at the stadium Thursday morning looking into the incident.
The stadium, which opened for the 2009 season, has had its share of accidents, including one fatality. An electrician was killed in June 2008 when he touched a high-voltage line.
Since work began on the $1.1 billion stadium project in April 2006, 175 incidents had been reported through May 2008, an official with general contractor Manhattan Construction said last year.
Those incidents included minor scratches, broken bones, and eye irritation.
Manhattan initiated new safety procedures in May 2008 after a sharp increase in the accidents. The company was in a partnership with OSHA to provide extra safety training for employees.
OSHA investigated two previous major accidents at the site. In January 2007, a worker fell through a hole, and the contractor, Capform, was fined $10,000.
Later that year, a man was hit in the back with a crane hook. OSHA found no violations but issued the employer, also Capform, a warning letter.
Staff writer Susan Schrock contributed to this report, which contains material from the Star-Telegram archives.
An Arlington Fire Department spokesman said the men were doing maintenance on the top hatch of the stadium when they slipped.
He said the workers were not wearing safety harnesses and described their injuries as severe.
The accident happened about 7 a.m., fire officials said.
The men fell an estimated 50 to 75 feet, officials said. The injuries included broken bones, said Don Crowson, Arlington assistant fire chief. But the accident could have been much worse -- the roof rises some 300 feet above the ground.
"It's a cold morning. There was ice on the roof. It's a very dangerous and slippery environment up there," Crowson said. "They were lucky they hit the bottom of the roof and didn't fall off."
The most-seriously injured man was transported to a hospital by air ambulance about 8:50 a.m.
Members of the Arlington Fire Department's technical rescue team could be seen on the top of the stadium during the rescue operation.
"Every rescue is dangerous for firefighters. It's a dangerous environment up there but our people are well trained. They used safety equipment to keep themselves and the patients safe," Crowson said.
Crowson said the men were lowered from where they fell.
Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said investigators were at the stadium Thursday morning looking into the incident.
The stadium, which opened for the 2009 season, has had its share of accidents, including one fatality. An electrician was killed in June 2008 when he touched a high-voltage line.
Since work began on the $1.1 billion stadium project in April 2006, 175 incidents had been reported through May 2008, an official with general contractor Manhattan Construction said last year.
Those incidents included minor scratches, broken bones, and eye irritation.
Manhattan initiated new safety procedures in May 2008 after a sharp increase in the accidents. The company was in a partnership with OSHA to provide extra safety training for employees.
OSHA investigated two previous major accidents at the site. In January 2007, a worker fell through a hole, and the contractor, Capform, was fined $10,000.
Later that year, a man was hit in the back with a crane hook. OSHA found no violations but issued the employer, also Capform, a warning letter.
Staff writer Susan Schrock contributed to this report, which contains material from the Star-Telegram archives.
Monday, November 30, 2009
One Dead in Houston Wreck
One person died in a traffic wreck over the weekend in northwest Harris County.
The crash occurred in the 10500 block of Woodedge about 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators said the person, who has not been identified, was traveling eastbound on Woodedge, lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a concrete culvert. Then the vehicle rolled over and smashed into a tree.
The crash occurred in the 10500 block of Woodedge about 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators said the person, who has not been identified, was traveling eastbound on Woodedge, lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a concrete culvert. Then the vehicle rolled over and smashed into a tree.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Car Wreck Kills One in Grapevine Northeast Tarrant County
A woman died early Friday in a single-vehicle wreck on Texas 121 in Grapevine, just north of D/FW Airport, police said.
Her name and age were unavailable Friday morning because officials wanted to make sure her family had been notified first, said Lt. Todd Dearing, police spokesman.
Police and firefighters responded at 1:30 a.m. to the wreck on the highway, just prior to the exit to Interstate 635, also called the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway.
The woman was driving a 1997 Jeep Cherokee with two men as passengers, Dearing said in a news release.
The Cherokee, Dearing said, "left the right side of the roadway prior to the IH 635 exit. (It) rolled multiple times down an embankment, coming to rest in a tree line."
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, Dearing said.
The two passengers, he said, were taken by ambulance to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, where they were being treated Friday morning. Their medical conditions were unavailable Friday morning.
Meanwhile, the wreck was still under investigation Friday, Dearing said.
Stephens, Anderson & Cummings, LLP Attorneys Fort Worth Texas Personal Injury
Her name and age were unavailable Friday morning because officials wanted to make sure her family had been notified first, said Lt. Todd Dearing, police spokesman.
Police and firefighters responded at 1:30 a.m. to the wreck on the highway, just prior to the exit to Interstate 635, also called the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway.
The woman was driving a 1997 Jeep Cherokee with two men as passengers, Dearing said in a news release.
The Cherokee, Dearing said, "left the right side of the roadway prior to the IH 635 exit. (It) rolled multiple times down an embankment, coming to rest in a tree line."
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, Dearing said.
The two passengers, he said, were taken by ambulance to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, where they were being treated Friday morning. Their medical conditions were unavailable Friday morning.
Meanwhile, the wreck was still under investigation Friday, Dearing said.
Stephens, Anderson & Cummings, LLP Attorneys Fort Worth Texas Personal Injury
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Two Killed in Weatherford (Parker County) Car Wreck
A teenage girl was killed Tuesday in a two-vehicle wreck south of Weatherford that also killed a Colorado man, officials said.
Sarah Jennifer-Lynn Brinkmann, 17, of Weatherford, was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck, which was reported shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday on Farm Road 51, according to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety highway patrol.
Also pronounced dead at the scene was Keith Defoe, 65, of Pueblo, Colo., the DPS said. His wife, Marcella Defoe, 67, was taken to Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth hospital with neck and back injuries, the DPS said.
The wreck happened about a mile south of Weatherford as Brinkmann traveled north on FM 51 in a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina, according to the DPS report.
The Defoes were southbound in a 2000 Chevrolet Astro Van. But as the two vehicles started to pass each other, the Lumina swerved left into the van, the DPS said.
The collision left the Lumina facing south on the road and the van landed in a ditch on the west side of the road, the DPS said.
Brinkmann and the Defoes were wearing seat belts, the DPS said.
Marcella Defoe was listed in fair condition Wednesday morning at Harris, a hospital spokeswoman said.
No other information was immediately available Wednesday morning.
Stephens, Anderson & Cummings Fort Worth Personal Injury Wrongful Death Lawyers Attorneys
Sarah Jennifer-Lynn Brinkmann, 17, of Weatherford, was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck, which was reported shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday on Farm Road 51, according to a report from the Texas Department of Public Safety highway patrol.
Also pronounced dead at the scene was Keith Defoe, 65, of Pueblo, Colo., the DPS said. His wife, Marcella Defoe, 67, was taken to Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth hospital with neck and back injuries, the DPS said.
The wreck happened about a mile south of Weatherford as Brinkmann traveled north on FM 51 in a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina, according to the DPS report.
The Defoes were southbound in a 2000 Chevrolet Astro Van. But as the two vehicles started to pass each other, the Lumina swerved left into the van, the DPS said.
The collision left the Lumina facing south on the road and the van landed in a ditch on the west side of the road, the DPS said.
Brinkmann and the Defoes were wearing seat belts, the DPS said.
Marcella Defoe was listed in fair condition Wednesday morning at Harris, a hospital spokeswoman said.
No other information was immediately available Wednesday morning.
Stephens, Anderson & Cummings Fort Worth Personal Injury Wrongful Death Lawyers Attorneys
Monday, November 16, 2009
One Dead in Arlington Tarrant County Car Crash
Arlington police are investigating a late-night fatal wreck Sunday that involved at least two vehicles at Interstate 20 and Green Oaks Boulevard.
The Tarrant County medical examiner's office had yet to identify the victim early Monday morning.
A second person was injured and was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, police said.
The wreck occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-20 shortly after 10:30 p.m. Sunday, police said.
Check back for more details.
The Tarrant County medical examiner's office had yet to identify the victim early Monday morning.
A second person was injured and was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, police said.
The wreck occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-20 shortly after 10:30 p.m. Sunday, police said.
Check back for more details.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Recall
WASHINGTON (AP) -- About a million Maclaren strollers sold by Target and Babies "R" Us were recalled Monday, after 12 reports of children having their fingertips amputated by a hinge mechanism.
The recall includes all nine models of single and double umbrella Maclaren strollers, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall after an investigation.
The amputation risk occurs when a child's finger is placed in the hinge mechanism of a stroller while it is being unfolded. When the opened stroller locks into place, it can cut off the tip of the child's finger.
The recall includes the following stroller models: Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller. They have been sold at Babies "R" Us, Target and other stores around the country since 1999. Prices for the strollers ranged from $100 to $360.
The company is offering free hinge covers to prevent future incidents. The covers should not be removed unless the stroller is being cleaned, according to the CPSC.
"Our message to parents, grandparents and all caregivers is to make sure that you stop using these strollers until you get the repair kit, which zips the covers in place," said CPSC spokeswoman Patty Davis.
The strollers were manufactured in China and distributed by Maclaren USA Inc of South Norwalk, Conn.
The company could not immediately be reached by phone for comment and its Web site was offline.
The recall includes all nine models of single and double umbrella Maclaren strollers, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall after an investigation.
The amputation risk occurs when a child's finger is placed in the hinge mechanism of a stroller while it is being unfolded. When the opened stroller locks into place, it can cut off the tip of the child's finger.
The recall includes the following stroller models: Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller. They have been sold at Babies "R" Us, Target and other stores around the country since 1999. Prices for the strollers ranged from $100 to $360.
The company is offering free hinge covers to prevent future incidents. The covers should not be removed unless the stroller is being cleaned, according to the CPSC.
"Our message to parents, grandparents and all caregivers is to make sure that you stop using these strollers until you get the repair kit, which zips the covers in place," said CPSC spokeswoman Patty Davis.
The strollers were manufactured in China and distributed by Maclaren USA Inc of South Norwalk, Conn.
The company could not immediately be reached by phone for comment and its Web site was offline.
GOP legislature was Democrat
AUSTIN – State Rep. Chuck Hopson says he's leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a Republican.
Hopson says President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress don't reflect the conservative values of his East Texas district.
Hopson, in a telephone interview from Jacksonville, said Friday that more than 70 percent of voters in his district voted for Republican John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.
The decision is a blow for the Texas Democratic Party. The split in the Texas House was a narrow 76-74 in favor of the GOP.
State Democratic Party chairman Boyd Richie said that he's disappointed but still confident Democrats will gain control of the House with next year's election.
Hopson says President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress don't reflect the conservative values of his East Texas district.
Hopson, in a telephone interview from Jacksonville, said Friday that more than 70 percent of voters in his district voted for Republican John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.
The decision is a blow for the Texas Democratic Party. The split in the Texas House was a narrow 76-74 in favor of the GOP.
State Democratic Party chairman Boyd Richie said that he's disappointed but still confident Democrats will gain control of the House with next year's election.
Man Killed After Telling Teens to Slow Down
WYLIE, Texas — Police say five teens are charged with murder in the beating death of a Dallas-area man who argued with them about reckless driving in his neighborhood.
Wylie police Detective Venece Perepiczka (vuh-NEES' per-PETCH'-kuh) said the suspects were arrested in Wylie and Garland and remained in custody. She did not immediately return a message Monday from The Associated Press.
Police say 28-year-old Jonathan Bird of Wylie was fatally beaten around midnight Saturday after exchanging words with some youths in a truck.
Four boys are juveniles, age 16. One is an adult, 17-year-old Ethan Dorris of Wylie.
Dorris was in the Collin County Jail on bail of $250,000. A jail officer, who declined to provide his full name, said no attorney was listed for Dorris.
Wylie is 20 miles northeast of Dallas.
Wylie police Detective Venece Perepiczka (vuh-NEES' per-PETCH'-kuh) said the suspects were arrested in Wylie and Garland and remained in custody. She did not immediately return a message Monday from The Associated Press.
Police say 28-year-old Jonathan Bird of Wylie was fatally beaten around midnight Saturday after exchanging words with some youths in a truck.
Four boys are juveniles, age 16. One is an adult, 17-year-old Ethan Dorris of Wylie.
Dorris was in the Collin County Jail on bail of $250,000. A jail officer, who declined to provide his full name, said no attorney was listed for Dorris.
Wylie is 20 miles northeast of Dallas.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Man Acquitted in Parker County Weatherford Wrongful Death Wreck
A 33-year-old Hood County man was found not guilty on charges of racing and failure to stop and render aid in a January 2007 crash that killed Weatherford High School football standout Willie "B.B." Fielder.
A jury of seven men and five women earlier this week declined to convict Robert Ernest Wilkerson of Granbury on two charges stemming from the fatal crash.
"It was an unfortunate accident on an unfortunate stretch of road. It is very dangerous," said Shay Isham, Wilkerson’s attorney.
Fielder was killed while he was driving back to the high school one afternoon for track practice.
His car was broadsided by a pickup driven by Rodney Swindle, 49, of Weatherford.
Swindle and Wilkerson, who was driving a sedan, were accused of racing on South Main Street when the wreck occurred. Wilkerson and Swindle reached a bottleneck where South Main narrows to one lane.
Wilkerson pulled ahead of Swindle. Fielder turned left onto South Main from Cleburne Avenue when Swindle’s pickup struck the driver’s side door.
Fielder died two days later at a Fort Worth hospital. He was a popular student at Weatherford High, where as a senior he had been named offensive MVP for District 4-5A and was the school’s 2006 homecoming king.
In July, Swindle pleaded guilty to a charge of racing that caused a death and was sentenced to six months in jail and to 10 years of probation, a $2,000 fine and 300 hours of community service.
Dangerous roadway
Isham said jurors agreed that there was insufficient evidence to support the prosecution’s arguments that Wilkerson was racing and that he failed to stop and render aid.
Isham said his client was trying to merge on South Main, not drag racing. "Anyone could be in jail on that broad definition," Isham said of the racing law.
"I was never really concerned that the jury would find him guilty of racing. It’s a fairly new statute and doesn’t have much case law behind it," he said.
Isham said he was more concerned about the charge of failure to render aid.
In a videotaped statement made several days after the accident, Wilkerson told police he did not stop to render aid, Isham said. Wilkerson said he had passed Swindle and that he heard the crash but did not see it, the attorney said.
Wilkerson was also worried about a confrontation with Swindle and that it might hinder emergency crews.
Isham said he chose to have his client testify — a rare move when defending someone — but his client wanted to take the stand.
"My client was adamant about wanting to testify. This has been such a difficult, emotional, tragic scenario for everyone," Isham said.
First racing case
Assistant Parker County District Attorney Jeff Swain said the case was the first to be tried in Parker County under the new racing statute.
Swain said that investigators looked at a "black box" on Swindle’s pickup that showed his speed to be between 50 and 62 miles per hour five seconds before the crash.
"We tied Mr. Wilkerson’s speed to Swindle’s. That was one of the difficult places where jurors had difficulty making that transition. They couldn’t tie Mr. Wilkerson’s actions to Mr. Swindle’s," Swain said.
The prosecutor said he used the argument that two people were not racing, but that drivers want to pass other cars when merging. "Jurors felt [the racing argument] was overly broad," Swain said.
The district attorney’s office plans to approach lawmakers with more specific language regarding the racing statute, Swain said.
Swain also said attorneys want to meet with Weatherford officials to discuss the dangerous intersection of South Main, also known as Texas 51, and Cleburne Avenue.
"Having that situation leads to tragedy no matter who gets convicted," he said.
A jury of seven men and five women earlier this week declined to convict Robert Ernest Wilkerson of Granbury on two charges stemming from the fatal crash.
"It was an unfortunate accident on an unfortunate stretch of road. It is very dangerous," said Shay Isham, Wilkerson’s attorney.
Fielder was killed while he was driving back to the high school one afternoon for track practice.
His car was broadsided by a pickup driven by Rodney Swindle, 49, of Weatherford.
Swindle and Wilkerson, who was driving a sedan, were accused of racing on South Main Street when the wreck occurred. Wilkerson and Swindle reached a bottleneck where South Main narrows to one lane.
Wilkerson pulled ahead of Swindle. Fielder turned left onto South Main from Cleburne Avenue when Swindle’s pickup struck the driver’s side door.
Fielder died two days later at a Fort Worth hospital. He was a popular student at Weatherford High, where as a senior he had been named offensive MVP for District 4-5A and was the school’s 2006 homecoming king.
In July, Swindle pleaded guilty to a charge of racing that caused a death and was sentenced to six months in jail and to 10 years of probation, a $2,000 fine and 300 hours of community service.
Dangerous roadway
Isham said jurors agreed that there was insufficient evidence to support the prosecution’s arguments that Wilkerson was racing and that he failed to stop and render aid.
Isham said his client was trying to merge on South Main, not drag racing. "Anyone could be in jail on that broad definition," Isham said of the racing law.
"I was never really concerned that the jury would find him guilty of racing. It’s a fairly new statute and doesn’t have much case law behind it," he said.
Isham said he was more concerned about the charge of failure to render aid.
In a videotaped statement made several days after the accident, Wilkerson told police he did not stop to render aid, Isham said. Wilkerson said he had passed Swindle and that he heard the crash but did not see it, the attorney said.
Wilkerson was also worried about a confrontation with Swindle and that it might hinder emergency crews.
Isham said he chose to have his client testify — a rare move when defending someone — but his client wanted to take the stand.
"My client was adamant about wanting to testify. This has been such a difficult, emotional, tragic scenario for everyone," Isham said.
First racing case
Assistant Parker County District Attorney Jeff Swain said the case was the first to be tried in Parker County under the new racing statute.
Swain said that investigators looked at a "black box" on Swindle’s pickup that showed his speed to be between 50 and 62 miles per hour five seconds before the crash.
"We tied Mr. Wilkerson’s speed to Swindle’s. That was one of the difficult places where jurors had difficulty making that transition. They couldn’t tie Mr. Wilkerson’s actions to Mr. Swindle’s," Swain said.
The prosecutor said he used the argument that two people were not racing, but that drivers want to pass other cars when merging. "Jurors felt [the racing argument] was overly broad," Swain said.
The district attorney’s office plans to approach lawmakers with more specific language regarding the racing statute, Swain said.
Swain also said attorneys want to meet with Weatherford officials to discuss the dangerous intersection of South Main, also known as Texas 51, and Cleburne Avenue.
"Having that situation leads to tragedy no matter who gets convicted," he said.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Two High School Students Killed in Car Wreck
Lockhart High School students killed in collision
A three-vehicle crash on Texas 21 near U.S. 183 on Wednesday night killed two Lockhart High School girls and injured a third, Mustang Ridge police and Department of Public Safety officials said today.
Cousins Bernice Castelan, 17, of Lockhart, and Zared Castelan, 16, of Dale, died when an 18-wheeler jackknifed and struck their car and another van about 6:45 p.m., Mustang Ridge Police Sgt. J. Bennett said Friday.
Bernice’s sister Deimie Castelan, 17, of Lockhart, was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge in critical condition but was reported to be in fair condition this afternoon, officials said.
The driver of the Volvo tractor trailer, Francisco Ponce, 42 of Laredo, was treated for minor injuries at Brackenridge and released. Patty Patrick, 56, of Cibolo, the driver of the van, was treated for injuries and released, Bennett said.
Bennett said wet conditions might have been aided in the crash. No charges have been filed, he said.
An accident reconstruction team from the Department of Public Safety is assisting Bennett in the investigation, he said.
Counselors were available at the school today for grief counseling, a school official said.
A three-vehicle crash on Texas 21 near U.S. 183 on Wednesday night killed two Lockhart High School girls and injured a third, Mustang Ridge police and Department of Public Safety officials said today.
Cousins Bernice Castelan, 17, of Lockhart, and Zared Castelan, 16, of Dale, died when an 18-wheeler jackknifed and struck their car and another van about 6:45 p.m., Mustang Ridge Police Sgt. J. Bennett said Friday.
Bernice’s sister Deimie Castelan, 17, of Lockhart, was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge in critical condition but was reported to be in fair condition this afternoon, officials said.
The driver of the Volvo tractor trailer, Francisco Ponce, 42 of Laredo, was treated for minor injuries at Brackenridge and released. Patty Patrick, 56, of Cibolo, the driver of the van, was treated for injuries and released, Bennett said.
Bennett said wet conditions might have been aided in the crash. No charges have been filed, he said.
An accident reconstruction team from the Department of Public Safety is assisting Bennett in the investigation, he said.
Counselors were available at the school today for grief counseling, a school official said.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Former Aledo Bus Driver Arrested
FORT WORTH — Azle police arrested a former Aledo school bus driver who is accused of indecency with a child involving a 15-year-old Aledo High School girl who was a regular on his route, authorities said.
Eugene Taylor, 59, was arrested this morning at his Fort Worth home, Azle Police Chief Steve Myers said. Investigators were waiting for the suspect, and when Taylor arrived and saw them, he attempted to flee, the chief said.
Taylor was employed as a driver by Dallas County Schools, an intermediate education agency that provides various transportation services to nine school districts in Dallas County, and Aledo. The company is not affiliated with Dallas County nor Dallas Independent School District, according to its Web site.
The incident occurred Oct. 9 while Aledo was in Azle for a football game, authorities said.
Myers said Taylor was a regular route school bus driver, and that is how he knew the victim.
The night of the incident, Taylor was driving a truck that was moving band equipment from Aledo High School to Azle High, Myers said.
"He (the suspect) became aware that the victim wanted to go to the game and didn’t have a ride," Myers said. "He approached her and told her that he could give her a ride to the game because he was driving to the game."
Myers said the suspect made advances toward the girl and had physical contact with her inside the vehicle shortly after they arrived at Azle High School.
Taylor faces a charge of indecency with a child, which is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and/or a fine not to exceed $10,000. He is being held at the Azle jail on $75,000 bond.
Azle police are investigating the case because it occurred in their jurisdiction.
Taylor has a previous arrest for assault with intent to murder out of Bexar County, police said.
Eugene Taylor, 59, was arrested this morning at his Fort Worth home, Azle Police Chief Steve Myers said. Investigators were waiting for the suspect, and when Taylor arrived and saw them, he attempted to flee, the chief said.
Taylor was employed as a driver by Dallas County Schools, an intermediate education agency that provides various transportation services to nine school districts in Dallas County, and Aledo. The company is not affiliated with Dallas County nor Dallas Independent School District, according to its Web site.
The incident occurred Oct. 9 while Aledo was in Azle for a football game, authorities said.
Myers said Taylor was a regular route school bus driver, and that is how he knew the victim.
The night of the incident, Taylor was driving a truck that was moving band equipment from Aledo High School to Azle High, Myers said.
"He (the suspect) became aware that the victim wanted to go to the game and didn’t have a ride," Myers said. "He approached her and told her that he could give her a ride to the game because he was driving to the game."
Myers said the suspect made advances toward the girl and had physical contact with her inside the vehicle shortly after they arrived at Azle High School.
Taylor faces a charge of indecency with a child, which is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and/or a fine not to exceed $10,000. He is being held at the Azle jail on $75,000 bond.
Azle police are investigating the case because it occurred in their jurisdiction.
Taylor has a previous arrest for assault with intent to murder out of Bexar County, police said.
Pedestrian Killed in Car Wreck Austin Fatality
A man was struck by a car and killed while attempting to cross the frontage road of U.S. 183 east of Interstate 35 about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Austin police said.
The man was in the 1100 block of the eastbound frontage road between Providence and Blessing avenues, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No other details were immediately available. It was Austin’s 53rd traffic fatality of 2009.
The man was in the 1100 block of the eastbound frontage road between Providence and Blessing avenues, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No other details were immediately available. It was Austin’s 53rd traffic fatality of 2009.
Two Killed Houston Allen Parkway Wreck
Two adults died this morning when their SUV slammed into a large tree on Allen Parkway after the driver apparently lost control, police said.
Around 8 a.m., a driver in a black Suburban heading west in the 2000 block of the parkway just west of downtown Houston skidded across the median, oncoming lanes and another median before the vehicle slammed into a tree, which was uprooted, said Houston police Lt. L.J. Satterwhite.
The two people inside were dead at the scene inside the mangled SUV, which ended up along the service road that runs along the south side of Allen Parkway.
Satterwhite said investigators are looking at possible causes, including excessive speed and rain-slicked pavement.
No other information about the victims or the wreck was immediately available.
Around 8 a.m., a driver in a black Suburban heading west in the 2000 block of the parkway just west of downtown Houston skidded across the median, oncoming lanes and another median before the vehicle slammed into a tree, which was uprooted, said Houston police Lt. L.J. Satterwhite.
The two people inside were dead at the scene inside the mangled SUV, which ended up along the service road that runs along the south side of Allen Parkway.
Satterwhite said investigators are looking at possible causes, including excessive speed and rain-slicked pavement.
No other information about the victims or the wreck was immediately available.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Crash on 183 Kills One
Man killed in Sunday morning wreck identified
Austin police have identified a man who died Sunday morning in a crash at U.S. 183 and Lakeline Boulevard as Roel Castillo, 42.
Castillo was killed at about 7:30 a.m. when police say Michael Filius, 50, ran a red light at the intersection and struck Castillo’s vehicle. Castillo died at the scene, police said.
Intoxication manslaughter charges are pending against Filius, police say.
Austin police have identified a man who died Sunday morning in a crash at U.S. 183 and Lakeline Boulevard as Roel Castillo, 42.
Castillo was killed at about 7:30 a.m. when police say Michael Filius, 50, ran a red light at the intersection and struck Castillo’s vehicle. Castillo died at the scene, police said.
Intoxication manslaughter charges are pending against Filius, police say.
86 year old Dies in Fort Worth Wreck
An 86-year-old Fort Worth man has died from injuries he received in a wreck about 7:30 p.m. Sunday in southwest Fort Worth, according to reports.
Lowell Oesterborg of Fort Worth was identified by the Tarrant County medical examiner's office. The location of the wreck was in the 5900 block of Granbury Road.
The "other party involved" was an unlicensed driver, said Sgt. Pedro Criado, police spokesman, but no other information was available late Monday morning.
Oesterborg was taken to Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room, according to the medical examiner's office.
Public records indicate that Oesterborg's home was about a mile and a half southeast of where the wreck happened.
Lowell Oesterborg of Fort Worth was identified by the Tarrant County medical examiner's office. The location of the wreck was in the 5900 block of Granbury Road.
The "other party involved" was an unlicensed driver, said Sgt. Pedro Criado, police spokesman, but no other information was available late Monday morning.
Oesterborg was taken to Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room, according to the medical examiner's office.
Public records indicate that Oesterborg's home was about a mile and a half southeast of where the wreck happened.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Boy Scout Volunteer Accused of Sexual Relationship with Teen
FORT WORTH — Police are investigating a complaint filed by the parents of a 16-year-old Boy Scout that a 33-year-old woman who volunteers with the organization had a sexual relationship with the boy, a police spokesman said Thursday.
Courtney Lynn Sheward of Fort Worth was arrested on an outstanding warrant about 11 a.m. Wednesday near her home in north Fort Worth, according to a police report. She remained in the Mansfield Jail on Thursday night with bail set at $25,000, a jail spokeswoman said.
The relationship was not forced, but having sex with a child under 17 is a felony, said Sgt. Chad Mahaffey, a police spokesman.
Sheward is the mother of a Scout and volunteers with a troop, he said.
The boy’s parents told police that they suspected their son was involved in a sexual relationship with an adult and filed a report Oct. 14, police records show.
Sheward, a Scout troop committee member, had her Scout membership revoked Monday, Dan Clifton, Longhorn Council CEO, said Thursday.
Scout troop committee members help with record-keeping, fundraising and other nonprogram aspects of scouting, Clifton said. Scoutmasters and assistant scoutmasters who work in the program should never work with youths one-on-one, Clifton said.
"We are deeply saddened for the families that are involved," Clifton said. "It’s really a challenge for them."
The police report indicated that a second boy might have been involved, but Mahaffey declined to confirm that.
Investigators are still conducting interviews, and anyone with information on this case, or any similar case, is asked to call the Fort Worth police crimes against children unit at 817-332-5036.
Courtney Lynn Sheward of Fort Worth was arrested on an outstanding warrant about 11 a.m. Wednesday near her home in north Fort Worth, according to a police report. She remained in the Mansfield Jail on Thursday night with bail set at $25,000, a jail spokeswoman said.
The relationship was not forced, but having sex with a child under 17 is a felony, said Sgt. Chad Mahaffey, a police spokesman.
Sheward is the mother of a Scout and volunteers with a troop, he said.
The boy’s parents told police that they suspected their son was involved in a sexual relationship with an adult and filed a report Oct. 14, police records show.
Sheward, a Scout troop committee member, had her Scout membership revoked Monday, Dan Clifton, Longhorn Council CEO, said Thursday.
Scout troop committee members help with record-keeping, fundraising and other nonprogram aspects of scouting, Clifton said. Scoutmasters and assistant scoutmasters who work in the program should never work with youths one-on-one, Clifton said.
"We are deeply saddened for the families that are involved," Clifton said. "It’s really a challenge for them."
The police report indicated that a second boy might have been involved, but Mahaffey declined to confirm that.
Investigators are still conducting interviews, and anyone with information on this case, or any similar case, is asked to call the Fort Worth police crimes against children unit at 817-332-5036.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Woman Killed Truck Wreck Fort Worth
A 69-year-old woman has died from injuries she received early Wednesday when her car collided with a truck in north Fort Worth, police said.
The woman's name was not available at noon because authorities were awaiting confirmation that her family had been notified
The wreck happened 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of Crawford Farms Drive and Golden Triangle Boulevard.
Police said the woman was southbound on Crawford Farms Drive in a four-door Toyota as she approached the intersection.
Meanwhile, a "full-size Chevy truck" was westbound on Golden Triangle Boulevard, Sgt. Pedro Criado said in a news release.
The woman, Criado said, "failed to yield the right of way prior to entering the intersection."
Her car was hit by the truck on the driver side, Criado said.
"The collision caused her vehicle to spin and (it) continued traveling in a northeast direction for approximately 300 yards across a vacant field," Criado said.
Then the car smashed into a group of mailboxes, Criado said.
The woman was taken by ambulance to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, but she was pronounced dead a short time later, Criado said.
The driver of the truck was not hurt, he said.
No other information was immediately available at noon.
The woman's name was not available at noon because authorities were awaiting confirmation that her family had been notified
The wreck happened 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of Crawford Farms Drive and Golden Triangle Boulevard.
Police said the woman was southbound on Crawford Farms Drive in a four-door Toyota as she approached the intersection.
Meanwhile, a "full-size Chevy truck" was westbound on Golden Triangle Boulevard, Sgt. Pedro Criado said in a news release.
The woman, Criado said, "failed to yield the right of way prior to entering the intersection."
Her car was hit by the truck on the driver side, Criado said.
"The collision caused her vehicle to spin and (it) continued traveling in a northeast direction for approximately 300 yards across a vacant field," Criado said.
Then the car smashed into a group of mailboxes, Criado said.
The woman was taken by ambulance to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, but she was pronounced dead a short time later, Criado said.
The driver of the truck was not hurt, he said.
No other information was immediately available at noon.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Fort Worth Accident Kills One
FORT WORTH - A 21-year-old Fort Worth man died early this morning in a single-vehicle rollover wreck in northwest Fort Worth.
An off-duty officer passing near the area about 2:15 a.m. spotted the wrecked Chrysler car and alerted police. Inside, officers found the body of Jesse Garcia.
Sgt. Cynthia Blake, supervisor of the traffic investigation unit, said it appears Garcia had been traveling too fast while exiting N.W. Loop 820 onto Marine Creek Parkway. She said the Chrysler apparently swerved off the exit ramp and began to roll, landing upright in a concrete drainage culvert.
Blake said firefighters had to extricate Garcia's body from the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:37 a.m., according to the Tarrant County medical examiner's office.
An off-duty officer passing near the area about 2:15 a.m. spotted the wrecked Chrysler car and alerted police. Inside, officers found the body of Jesse Garcia.
Sgt. Cynthia Blake, supervisor of the traffic investigation unit, said it appears Garcia had been traveling too fast while exiting N.W. Loop 820 onto Marine Creek Parkway. She said the Chrysler apparently swerved off the exit ramp and began to roll, landing upright in a concrete drainage culvert.
Blake said firefighters had to extricate Garcia's body from the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:37 a.m., according to the Tarrant County medical examiner's office.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Perry's Campaign setback by Errors
AUSTIN — What should be Gov. Rick Perry's time to shine and shore up support for an unprecedented third term has turned lately into a series of missteps and accidents that are rare for such an experienced politician.
Whether they are coincidences, a show of uncharacteristic sloppiness by the Perry campaign or spin from the opposition, they seem to have given at least a temporary boost to Kay Bailey Hutchison, whose aides note every Perry setback.
"It's like when it rains it pours," said Bill Miller, a consultant who works for neither candidate but whose company's political arm has contributed to Perry. He called Perry's recent problems a "plague of bad incidents" but said they don't signal a breakdown in Perry's usually disciplined campaign. "It kind of raises questions, and, really, the beneficiary is always the opponent."
Last month, Hutchison staffers videotaped the governor appearing to question whether Texas is in a recession. Perry says the quip, designed to get a laugh from a crowd of suburban Houston business leaders, was taken out of context when the Hutchison camp circulated it on YouTube.
Two weeks ago, his big campaign Web announcement fell prey to a technology meltdown, and many supporters couldn't tune in to watch; the Perry campaign says it was the work of a politically motivated computer hacker and the FBI is investigating.
And Perry's apparent attempts to keep his appointees in line during the campaign has been seen as heavy-handed. Perry drew criticism for replacing university regents who supported Hutchison and for replacing members of a forensic science commission who were about to examine evidence that suggests Texas may have executed an innocent man on Perry's watch.
In a glaring slap at Perry, the Texas Farm Bureau last week toured the state with Hutchison endorsing her and chiding Perry, the former agriculture commissioner, for his Trans-Texas Corridor toll road network and for failing to protect property rights.
Perry's campaign denies he's lost any ground.
"If this is a football game, 32-1 would be a blowout," said Perry spokesman Mark Miner, referring to Perry's endorsements from business groups and social conservatives.
Miner said Hutchison had disappointing months in the spring and summer when she didn't offer "one new policy initiative." Now, he said, "you have a campaign, the senator's campaign, demonstrating that they'll do anything at any cost to try to win the election."
Hutchison's campaign said the governor has only himself to blame.
"I think he is an unbelievably arrogant person. And when you are as arrogant as Rick Perry is, you are prone to say and do very flippant things," said Hutchison campaign manager Terry Sullivan. "Now they're being held accountable for what they say and what they do."
At least in public, Perry doesn't appear to let a setback get him down for long. He is known to sometimes chew out an aide over a mistake, but he also gives pep talks to staffers and says he views the race as a lengthy process that will turn his way in the end.
Perry has never lost an election since he first ran for the Legislature in 1984. As lieutenant governor, he ascended to the governor's office when Gov. George W. Bush was elected president in 2000. He was re-elected in 2002 and 2006, but captured only 39 percent of the vote in the most recent, four-way race.
He has been known for occasional verbal gaffes. He was ridiculed nationally for suggesting that Texans might get so fed up they might want to secede from the union and once tried to paraphrase a vulgar expression after a radio interview, saying "Adios, mo' fo.'"
The Texas Farm Bureau endorsement of Hutchison was a blow that Perry likely long knew was coming. He and the organization have had their disagreements before, dating back to when the farm bureau endorsed Democrat John Sharp over Perry for lieutenant governor in 1998. But the group backed Perry for governor in 2002 and 2006.
The 421,000-member bureau had criticized Perry since his veto of a 2007 eminent domain bill the bureau wanted signed into law.
Perry might have had a chance to win the farmers back, but more eminent domain legislation the bureau wanted died in the Legislature's spring session and Perry didn't include it in a summer special session as the bureau wanted, said Farm Bureau legislative director Steve Pringle.
"If the governor had put the issue of eminent domain on the call of the special session this summer, it would have made our endorsement process a lot more complicated," Pringle said.
The Perry campaign didn't take the blow lightly. It suggested the Texas Farm Bureau backed Hutchison because she voted a year ago for a federal bailout of the financial and insurance industry. The farm bureau, which has a business arm that offers insurance to members, did not receive any bailout money.
To farm bureau officials, that remark just widened the schism between them and the governor.
"We feel like our members will be interested in this race," Pringle said.
Miner said the governor's endorsements from industry groups like the Texas Association of Realtors and social conservatives give him support from likely primary voters and their activist networks. Perry's confidence remains high, he said.
"We believe we continue to have the momentum," Miner said.
Whether they are coincidences, a show of uncharacteristic sloppiness by the Perry campaign or spin from the opposition, they seem to have given at least a temporary boost to Kay Bailey Hutchison, whose aides note every Perry setback.
"It's like when it rains it pours," said Bill Miller, a consultant who works for neither candidate but whose company's political arm has contributed to Perry. He called Perry's recent problems a "plague of bad incidents" but said they don't signal a breakdown in Perry's usually disciplined campaign. "It kind of raises questions, and, really, the beneficiary is always the opponent."
Last month, Hutchison staffers videotaped the governor appearing to question whether Texas is in a recession. Perry says the quip, designed to get a laugh from a crowd of suburban Houston business leaders, was taken out of context when the Hutchison camp circulated it on YouTube.
Two weeks ago, his big campaign Web announcement fell prey to a technology meltdown, and many supporters couldn't tune in to watch; the Perry campaign says it was the work of a politically motivated computer hacker and the FBI is investigating.
And Perry's apparent attempts to keep his appointees in line during the campaign has been seen as heavy-handed. Perry drew criticism for replacing university regents who supported Hutchison and for replacing members of a forensic science commission who were about to examine evidence that suggests Texas may have executed an innocent man on Perry's watch.
In a glaring slap at Perry, the Texas Farm Bureau last week toured the state with Hutchison endorsing her and chiding Perry, the former agriculture commissioner, for his Trans-Texas Corridor toll road network and for failing to protect property rights.
Perry's campaign denies he's lost any ground.
"If this is a football game, 32-1 would be a blowout," said Perry spokesman Mark Miner, referring to Perry's endorsements from business groups and social conservatives.
Miner said Hutchison had disappointing months in the spring and summer when she didn't offer "one new policy initiative." Now, he said, "you have a campaign, the senator's campaign, demonstrating that they'll do anything at any cost to try to win the election."
Hutchison's campaign said the governor has only himself to blame.
"I think he is an unbelievably arrogant person. And when you are as arrogant as Rick Perry is, you are prone to say and do very flippant things," said Hutchison campaign manager Terry Sullivan. "Now they're being held accountable for what they say and what they do."
At least in public, Perry doesn't appear to let a setback get him down for long. He is known to sometimes chew out an aide over a mistake, but he also gives pep talks to staffers and says he views the race as a lengthy process that will turn his way in the end.
Perry has never lost an election since he first ran for the Legislature in 1984. As lieutenant governor, he ascended to the governor's office when Gov. George W. Bush was elected president in 2000. He was re-elected in 2002 and 2006, but captured only 39 percent of the vote in the most recent, four-way race.
He has been known for occasional verbal gaffes. He was ridiculed nationally for suggesting that Texans might get so fed up they might want to secede from the union and once tried to paraphrase a vulgar expression after a radio interview, saying "Adios, mo' fo.'"
The Texas Farm Bureau endorsement of Hutchison was a blow that Perry likely long knew was coming. He and the organization have had their disagreements before, dating back to when the farm bureau endorsed Democrat John Sharp over Perry for lieutenant governor in 1998. But the group backed Perry for governor in 2002 and 2006.
The 421,000-member bureau had criticized Perry since his veto of a 2007 eminent domain bill the bureau wanted signed into law.
Perry might have had a chance to win the farmers back, but more eminent domain legislation the bureau wanted died in the Legislature's spring session and Perry didn't include it in a summer special session as the bureau wanted, said Farm Bureau legislative director Steve Pringle.
"If the governor had put the issue of eminent domain on the call of the special session this summer, it would have made our endorsement process a lot more complicated," Pringle said.
The Perry campaign didn't take the blow lightly. It suggested the Texas Farm Bureau backed Hutchison because she voted a year ago for a federal bailout of the financial and insurance industry. The farm bureau, which has a business arm that offers insurance to members, did not receive any bailout money.
To farm bureau officials, that remark just widened the schism between them and the governor.
"We feel like our members will be interested in this race," Pringle said.
Miner said the governor's endorsements from industry groups like the Texas Association of Realtors and social conservatives give him support from likely primary voters and their activist networks. Perry's confidence remains high, he said.
"We believe we continue to have the momentum," Miner said.
In Election Season, Governer Perry Claims Public Records Should Not be Shown to the Public
AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Rick Perry's office is refusing to release information about how it reviewed an attorney's attempt to stop an execution based on an arson expert's report, arguing that staff comments and analyses of the report aren't public records.
The Houston Chronicle reported Sunday that it tried unsuccessfully to obtain documents that might show whether Perry reviewed or if his staff discussed the report. It was faxed to the governor just 88 minutes before Cameron Todd Willingham was executed in February 2004.
The newspaper cited records it did obtain that showed Perry's office got the five-page faxed report at 4:52 p.m. on Feb. 17, 2004. The newspaper reported that it was unclear from the records whether Perry had read the arson report that day.
A statement from Perry spokesman Chris Cutrone, sent to the Chronicle late Friday, said that "given the brevity of (the) report and the general counsel's familiarity with all the other facts in the case, there was ample time for the general counsel to read and analyze the report and to brief the governor on its content."
Willingham, 36, was convicted of setting the fire that killed his three young children, 2-year-old Amber and 1-year-old twins Karmon and Kameron, on Dec. 23, 1991, in the family's Corsicana home.
Investigators with the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office ruled it an arson started by an accelerant. The report sent to Perry by Austin-based arson expert Gerald Hurst, who holds a doctorate in chemistry from Cambridge University, said investigators "made errors" and relied on discredited techniques.
Willingham's attorney, Walter M. Reaves Jr., first alerted Perry about the new arson analysis three days before the execution and requested more time to develop it.
"There is nothing more I would like than to be able to present you with evidence of actual innocence," Reaves wrote Perry, according to a document released to the Chronicle. "I think we are close ... The death penalty whether you agree with it or not, should be reserved for the most serious crimes. More importantly, it should be reserved for those crimes about which there is no doubt about the guilt of the person."
Reaves later got word that Perry would not stop the execution and Willingham went to his death, at 6:20 p.m., proclaiming his innocence.
Summaries of gubernatorial reviews of execution cases previously were released as public records in Texas, most recently under former Gov. George W. Bush.
The Houston Chronicle reported Sunday that it tried unsuccessfully to obtain documents that might show whether Perry reviewed or if his staff discussed the report. It was faxed to the governor just 88 minutes before Cameron Todd Willingham was executed in February 2004.
The newspaper cited records it did obtain that showed Perry's office got the five-page faxed report at 4:52 p.m. on Feb. 17, 2004. The newspaper reported that it was unclear from the records whether Perry had read the arson report that day.
A statement from Perry spokesman Chris Cutrone, sent to the Chronicle late Friday, said that "given the brevity of (the) report and the general counsel's familiarity with all the other facts in the case, there was ample time for the general counsel to read and analyze the report and to brief the governor on its content."
Willingham, 36, was convicted of setting the fire that killed his three young children, 2-year-old Amber and 1-year-old twins Karmon and Kameron, on Dec. 23, 1991, in the family's Corsicana home.
Investigators with the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office ruled it an arson started by an accelerant. The report sent to Perry by Austin-based arson expert Gerald Hurst, who holds a doctorate in chemistry from Cambridge University, said investigators "made errors" and relied on discredited techniques.
Willingham's attorney, Walter M. Reaves Jr., first alerted Perry about the new arson analysis three days before the execution and requested more time to develop it.
"There is nothing more I would like than to be able to present you with evidence of actual innocence," Reaves wrote Perry, according to a document released to the Chronicle. "I think we are close ... The death penalty whether you agree with it or not, should be reserved for the most serious crimes. More importantly, it should be reserved for those crimes about which there is no doubt about the guilt of the person."
Reaves later got word that Perry would not stop the execution and Willingham went to his death, at 6:20 p.m., proclaiming his innocence.
Summaries of gubernatorial reviews of execution cases previously were released as public records in Texas, most recently under former Gov. George W. Bush.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Train Derails in Cleburne Johnson County
CLEBURNE, Texas — A 100-car Burlington Northern Santa Fe coal train has derailed in a downtown Cleburne rail yard, spilling the train's cargo and closing the heavily traveled track.
Cleburne city spokesman Charlie Hodges says 44 of the coal-laden cars derailed about 6:45 a.m. Friday, dumping coal all over the railbed.
Spokesman Joe Faust of Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF said no injuries nor hazardous spills resulted from the derailment. He has no immediate details on what caused the derailment.
Faust says the train was carrying coal from Wyoming's Powder River Basin coal fields to the W.A. Parish Power Plant at Smithers Lake in Fort Bend County, 25 miles southwest of Houston. The Texas Genco plant is a 3,000-megawatt, coal-fired plant that burns more than 11 million tons of coal per year.
Hodges says Amtrak, which uses the rail line, will move passengers around the derailment site by buses between Fort Worth and Temple.
Cleburne city spokesman Charlie Hodges says 44 of the coal-laden cars derailed about 6:45 a.m. Friday, dumping coal all over the railbed.
Spokesman Joe Faust of Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF said no injuries nor hazardous spills resulted from the derailment. He has no immediate details on what caused the derailment.
Faust says the train was carrying coal from Wyoming's Powder River Basin coal fields to the W.A. Parish Power Plant at Smithers Lake in Fort Bend County, 25 miles southwest of Houston. The Texas Genco plant is a 3,000-megawatt, coal-fired plant that burns more than 11 million tons of coal per year.
Hodges says Amtrak, which uses the rail line, will move passengers around the derailment site by buses between Fort Worth and Temple.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Several Hurt in Car Wreck in Fort Worth
Five people, including a police officer, were hurt early Tuesday when a patrol car collided with a sport utility vehicle in east Fort Worth, according to reports.
The wreck was reported at about 2:50 a.m. in the 6700 block of Brentwood Stair Road, a police report stated.
Sgt. Pedro Criado, police spokesman, confirmed that a patrol car spun out on slick pavement and hit the SUV.
The officer in the patrol car was cut on the head and the four SUV passengers were taken to the hospital to be examined, but there were no life-threatening injuries, Criado said.
The wreck was reported at about 2:50 a.m. in the 6700 block of Brentwood Stair Road, a police report stated.
Sgt. Pedro Criado, police spokesman, confirmed that a patrol car spun out on slick pavement and hit the SUV.
The officer in the patrol car was cut on the head and the four SUV passengers were taken to the hospital to be examined, but there were no life-threatening injuries, Criado said.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Truck Driver Dies after Wreck
A Lubbock-area truck driver has died from injuries he received in an early-morning collision with another big rig on Interstate 20 in southwest Parker County.
Pascual Rincones Cisneros Jr., 57, of Lorenzo, which is northeast of Lubbock, died Thursday morning at a Fort Worth hospital, said Trooper Gary Rozzell, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety office in Mineral Wells.
The three-vehicle wreck was reported at 1:13 a.m. near mile marker 397, Rozzell said. The area is near the community of Brock and about six miles west of Weatherford.
A red passenger car driven by Lauren Vitale, 18, of Fort Worth was westbound on the service road of I-20, Rozzell said.
Meanwhile, he added, a 2002 Kenworth driven by Joshua Pottker, 31, also of Fort Worth, was westbound on the interstate.
Vitale drove onto the interstate, but not by taking the entrance ramp, Rozzell said.
Instead, she drove across the grassy area between the interstate and its service road, Rozzell said.
Pottker swerved to avoid the red car, but the car struck his right front tire, Rozzell said.
The Kenworth then entered the eastbound lanes, which put it in the path of the 2005 Freightliner driven by Cisneros, Rozzell said.
The Freightliner hit the trailer that was behind the Kenworth, Rozzell said.
"The Pottker vehicle turned on its side," Rozzell said, "but the Cisneros vehicle went through the trailer, cut it in two, and continued down Interstate 20, eastbound, for a short distance."
It came to rest, Rozzell said, "with massive front-end damage."
Pottker was taken to a Weatherford Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released, Rozzell said.
The red car spun out and came to a stop, but Vitale was unhurt, according to Rozzell.
He noted, however, that investigators did not immediately know why she entered I-20 by driving across the grass.
The investigation was continuing, Rozzell said
Pascual Rincones Cisneros Jr., 57, of Lorenzo, which is northeast of Lubbock, died Thursday morning at a Fort Worth hospital, said Trooper Gary Rozzell, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety office in Mineral Wells.
The three-vehicle wreck was reported at 1:13 a.m. near mile marker 397, Rozzell said. The area is near the community of Brock and about six miles west of Weatherford.
A red passenger car driven by Lauren Vitale, 18, of Fort Worth was westbound on the service road of I-20, Rozzell said.
Meanwhile, he added, a 2002 Kenworth driven by Joshua Pottker, 31, also of Fort Worth, was westbound on the interstate.
Vitale drove onto the interstate, but not by taking the entrance ramp, Rozzell said.
Instead, she drove across the grassy area between the interstate and its service road, Rozzell said.
Pottker swerved to avoid the red car, but the car struck his right front tire, Rozzell said.
The Kenworth then entered the eastbound lanes, which put it in the path of the 2005 Freightliner driven by Cisneros, Rozzell said.
The Freightliner hit the trailer that was behind the Kenworth, Rozzell said.
"The Pottker vehicle turned on its side," Rozzell said, "but the Cisneros vehicle went through the trailer, cut it in two, and continued down Interstate 20, eastbound, for a short distance."
It came to rest, Rozzell said, "with massive front-end damage."
Pottker was taken to a Weatherford Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released, Rozzell said.
The red car spun out and came to a stop, but Vitale was unhurt, according to Rozzell.
He noted, however, that investigators did not immediately know why she entered I-20 by driving across the grass.
The investigation was continuing, Rozzell said
Big Rig 18 Wheeler Accident Parker County I 20 Injuries
Interstate 20 in southwest Parker County reopened at 7:45 a.m. Thursday following a collision several hours earlier between two tractor-trailer rigs, according to reports.
Two people were taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, but their medical conditions were unavailable early Thursday.
The wreck was reported at 1:13 a.m. near mile marker 397, according to a preliminary report from the Texas Department of Public Safety highway patrol. The area is about six miles west of Weatherford.
A westbound truck was following a car that was exiting at mile marker 397 when the driver of the car suddenly decided to swerve back onto the interstate, according to the report.
The driver of the big rig swerved to avoid the car, but then it went into the eastbound lane, where it collided with another rig, the report stated.
The eastbound truck smashed into the trailer of westbound truck.
It took more than six hours to clear the wreckage.
Two people were taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, but their medical conditions were unavailable early Thursday.
The wreck was reported at 1:13 a.m. near mile marker 397, according to a preliminary report from the Texas Department of Public Safety highway patrol. The area is about six miles west of Weatherford.
A westbound truck was following a car that was exiting at mile marker 397 when the driver of the car suddenly decided to swerve back onto the interstate, according to the report.
The driver of the big rig swerved to avoid the car, but then it went into the eastbound lane, where it collided with another rig, the report stated.
The eastbound truck smashed into the trailer of westbound truck.
It took more than six hours to clear the wreckage.
Fraud Around Town
Hundreds of people were defrauded out of $8 million by a man identified as living in Arlington and two others from Waxahachie, according to accusations by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
One of the men, who was reached for comment, said he did nothing wrong and was shocked to see his name in court documents.
On Wednesday, the commission obtained an emergency court order freezing assets held by M25 Investments, M37 Investments, Scott P. Kear Sr. and Jeffrey L. Lyon, all of Waxahachie; and David G. Seaman, who is listed as living in Arlington but said he lives elsewhere.
The defendants are accused of running a foreign currency trading scheme out of branch offices in Watauga,West Virginia and Mississippi.
Many of the companies’ 224 customers are elderly and knew one another through churches, according to the commission’s complaint.
As of March, the companies had $3.9 million in assets, not enough to make promised interest payments and return the $8 million in principal investments, according to the commission.
Despite the shortfall, the men are accused of soliciting another $140,000 in May from more than a dozen additional customers.
Seaman, who declined to say where he lives, is the chief operating officer.
Seaman said he has been wrongly accused and has done nothing improper.
He said that as of Wednesday morning, when he called his bank, his assets had not been frozen.
"I’m sure you know with all the [Bernard] Madoff stuff that happened, the regulators are on a witch hunt right now," he said, adding that Lyon and Kear will also contest the allegations.
"I’m not an owner. My title was really . . . kind of a jack-of-all-trades type of guy. I ran customer service and stuff from day to day," he said.
The purported scheme promised monthly returns of 2 percent and annual returns of 24 percent yet engaged in "speculative and risky trading," according to court documents.
The men are accused in court documents of issuing monthly account statements that showed 2 percent interest credits when they actually consistently lost customer funds in trading or didn’t use the money for trades at all. Company promotional material showed the growth of an initial investment of $100,000 to more than $11 million after 11 years, according to the complaint.
Though the commission filed a complaint against the companies Tuesday,the National Futures Association, a self-regulatory organization for the U.S. futures industry, brought a disciplinary action against the companies after an audit in April.
Sharon Pendleton, the association’s director of compliance, said the two companies had issued promissory note agreements to customers but were "unable to provide us with proof they had liquid assets to cover those notes."
"The total was $7.6 million for the two companies," Pendleton said. "They had combined assets . . . [of] about $3.9 million. So there was a shortfall."
In a report on its Web site, the association accused the companies of "operating a Ponzi scheme whereby they have obtained hundreds of loans from unsophisticated persons who are solicited, among other ways, at or through churches."
Lyon and Kear were named in the association’s report. Seaman was not.
The U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Texas is providing local counsel for the case, a spokeswoman said.
One of the men, who was reached for comment, said he did nothing wrong and was shocked to see his name in court documents.
On Wednesday, the commission obtained an emergency court order freezing assets held by M25 Investments, M37 Investments, Scott P. Kear Sr. and Jeffrey L. Lyon, all of Waxahachie; and David G. Seaman, who is listed as living in Arlington but said he lives elsewhere.
The defendants are accused of running a foreign currency trading scheme out of branch offices in Watauga,West Virginia and Mississippi.
Many of the companies’ 224 customers are elderly and knew one another through churches, according to the commission’s complaint.
As of March, the companies had $3.9 million in assets, not enough to make promised interest payments and return the $8 million in principal investments, according to the commission.
Despite the shortfall, the men are accused of soliciting another $140,000 in May from more than a dozen additional customers.
Seaman, who declined to say where he lives, is the chief operating officer.
Seaman said he has been wrongly accused and has done nothing improper.
He said that as of Wednesday morning, when he called his bank, his assets had not been frozen.
"I’m sure you know with all the [Bernard] Madoff stuff that happened, the regulators are on a witch hunt right now," he said, adding that Lyon and Kear will also contest the allegations.
"I’m not an owner. My title was really . . . kind of a jack-of-all-trades type of guy. I ran customer service and stuff from day to day," he said.
The purported scheme promised monthly returns of 2 percent and annual returns of 24 percent yet engaged in "speculative and risky trading," according to court documents.
The men are accused in court documents of issuing monthly account statements that showed 2 percent interest credits when they actually consistently lost customer funds in trading or didn’t use the money for trades at all. Company promotional material showed the growth of an initial investment of $100,000 to more than $11 million after 11 years, according to the complaint.
Though the commission filed a complaint against the companies Tuesday,the National Futures Association, a self-regulatory organization for the U.S. futures industry, brought a disciplinary action against the companies after an audit in April.
Sharon Pendleton, the association’s director of compliance, said the two companies had issued promissory note agreements to customers but were "unable to provide us with proof they had liquid assets to cover those notes."
"The total was $7.6 million for the two companies," Pendleton said. "They had combined assets . . . [of] about $3.9 million. So there was a shortfall."
In a report on its Web site, the association accused the companies of "operating a Ponzi scheme whereby they have obtained hundreds of loans from unsophisticated persons who are solicited, among other ways, at or through churches."
Lyon and Kear were named in the association’s report. Seaman was not.
The U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Texas is providing local counsel for the case, a spokeswoman said.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Three Killed in Multi Car Wreck on I35
TROY — A National Guard Humvee went airborne on a Central Texas interstate Wednesday and vaulted into an oncoming lane, triggering a six-vehicle crash that killed a soldier and two other drivers, authorities said.
Col. Bill Meehan, a Texas National Guard spokesman, declined to say where the soldier who was driving the Humvee was stationed or where he was going when he crashed.
The drivers of an 18-wheeler and a car were also killed, authorities said.
Identities were not immediately released because the families had not been notified.
"Our thoughts and prayers do go out with the soldier’s family and those of the other people involved in the accident," Meehan said.
The Humvee was traveling south on Interstate 35 in the small town of Troy about 11 a.m. when it went airborne, cleared the center barrier and slammed into the oncoming car and 18-wheeler, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The tractor-trailer then crashed into a truck towing a trailer, then into a garbage truck.
It was not immediately clear what caused the Humvee to go airborne, authorities said. The crash closed the interstate in both directions for about three hours. Troy is just north of Temple.
Col. Bill Meehan, a Texas National Guard spokesman, declined to say where the soldier who was driving the Humvee was stationed or where he was going when he crashed.
The drivers of an 18-wheeler and a car were also killed, authorities said.
Identities were not immediately released because the families had not been notified.
"Our thoughts and prayers do go out with the soldier’s family and those of the other people involved in the accident," Meehan said.
The Humvee was traveling south on Interstate 35 in the small town of Troy about 11 a.m. when it went airborne, cleared the center barrier and slammed into the oncoming car and 18-wheeler, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The tractor-trailer then crashed into a truck towing a trailer, then into a garbage truck.
It was not immediately clear what caused the Humvee to go airborne, authorities said. The crash closed the interstate in both directions for about three hours. Troy is just north of Temple.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Decatur Man Dies in Watauga Car Accident
WATAUGA -- A Decatur man who was injured in a traffic accident during the weekend died Tuesday afternoon at a Fort Worth hospital, authorities said Wednesday.
The Tarrant County medical examiner’s office identified the victim as Kent Powell, 27, who died at John Peter Smith Hospital. A ruling on his death is pending.
Authorities continued on Wednesday to investigate the accident, which occurred at about 1:45 a.m. Saturday in the 6200 block of Chapman Road.
A 2009 Corvette driven by a 27-year-old Watauga man was westbound on the road when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a telephone pole, according to police reports. Powell was a passenger in the car and he was ejected, the reports state.
When police arrived, the Watauga man was out of the car and attending to Powell, according to reports. The Watauga driver who police did not identify was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released shortly after the accident, Watauga Detective Jason Babcock said Wednesday.
Speed was listed as a factor in the accident, according to police reports.
The Tarrant County medical examiner’s office identified the victim as Kent Powell, 27, who died at John Peter Smith Hospital. A ruling on his death is pending.
Authorities continued on Wednesday to investigate the accident, which occurred at about 1:45 a.m. Saturday in the 6200 block of Chapman Road.
A 2009 Corvette driven by a 27-year-old Watauga man was westbound on the road when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a telephone pole, according to police reports. Powell was a passenger in the car and he was ejected, the reports state.
When police arrived, the Watauga man was out of the car and attending to Powell, according to reports. The Watauga driver who police did not identify was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released shortly after the accident, Watauga Detective Jason Babcock said Wednesday.
Speed was listed as a factor in the accident, according to police reports.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Woman Dies in Comal County Car Wreck
One woman died Saturday night in Comal County after being run over by her own truck.
Department of Public Safety officials said 46-year-old Mary Lenora Jack of Canyon Lake was driving a Chevrolet pickup truck on FM 2673 near Canyon Lake around 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Jack drove off the road and went down a hill, officials said. She then attempted to exit the truck while it was moving, but was run over by the vehicle, officials said. She was pronounced dead at the scene. No other drivers were involved in the wreck.
Department of Public Safety officials said 46-year-old Mary Lenora Jack of Canyon Lake was driving a Chevrolet pickup truck on FM 2673 near Canyon Lake around 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Jack drove off the road and went down a hill, officials said. She then attempted to exit the truck while it was moving, but was run over by the vehicle, officials said. She was pronounced dead at the scene. No other drivers were involved in the wreck.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Arlington Man Dies from Car Wreck Injuries Wrongful Death
ARLINGTON -- A 20-year-old Arlington man injured in a single-vehicle wreck on Thursday has died.
William Alexander Wilson was eastbound in the 1700 block of W. Lamar Boulevard near Fielder Road about 11:30 a.m. Thursday when his Ford GT left the roadway and struck a tree.
Wilson, who was thrown from the vehicle, was flown to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth for treatment but died from his injuries Friday.
The accident is still under investigation, but speed appears to be a likely factor, police say.
Wilson's death is the 26th traffic fatality in Arlington this year.
William Alexander Wilson was eastbound in the 1700 block of W. Lamar Boulevard near Fielder Road about 11:30 a.m. Thursday when his Ford GT left the roadway and struck a tree.
Wilson, who was thrown from the vehicle, was flown to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth for treatment but died from his injuries Friday.
The accident is still under investigation, but speed appears to be a likely factor, police say.
Wilson's death is the 26th traffic fatality in Arlington this year.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Fire in Plano Kills Man
A Plano man could not escape from his burning house.
Authorities received a report of a fire in the 3400 block of Mission Ridge Road about 2:20 a.m., said Dan Rogers, of the Plano Fire Department. Flames engulfed the entire home and caused a part of the roof to cave in.
Authorities did not release the man's name this morning. No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation. No other details were immediately available this morning.
Authorities received a report of a fire in the 3400 block of Mission Ridge Road about 2:20 a.m., said Dan Rogers, of the Plano Fire Department. Flames engulfed the entire home and caused a part of the roof to cave in.
Authorities did not release the man's name this morning. No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation. No other details were immediately available this morning.
Wreck in Hurst results in Serious Personal Injuries
HURST — One person was seriously injured in a multi-vehicle wreck Wednesday morning that forced police to close part of northbound Northeast Loop 820 for an hour, police said Wednesday..
The wreck happened about 6:30 a.m. near Texas 10.
One vehicle rolled over and two other vehicles also were involved, according to police reports.
One person was transported to a Fort Worth hospital, but a condition was unavailable, police said Wednesday.
Police reopened the highway at about 7:30 a.m. after authorities and emergency crews finished working the wreck scene.
The wreck happened about 6:30 a.m. near Texas 10.
One vehicle rolled over and two other vehicles also were involved, according to police reports.
One person was transported to a Fort Worth hospital, but a condition was unavailable, police said Wednesday.
Police reopened the highway at about 7:30 a.m. after authorities and emergency crews finished working the wreck scene.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Woman From Boyd Killed in Deer Accident
A Wise County woman died Saturday when the motorcycle she was on collided with a deer in Blanco County, officials said.
Leeanne Renae Romine, 48, of Boyd was one of two people on the Harley-Davidson motorcycle that wrecked on Farm Road 1888, about five miles west of Blanco, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
A deer ran onto the road about 5:45 p.m. and it was struck by the motorcycle driven by Darren Ronald Hatchel, 48, of Italy, the DPS said.
Romine and Hatchel were thrown from the motorcycle. Romine died at the scene and Hatchel was taken to a hospital in San Antonio with serious injuries, the DPS said.
The deer was killed, according to the DPS.
Leeanne Renae Romine, 48, of Boyd was one of two people on the Harley-Davidson motorcycle that wrecked on Farm Road 1888, about five miles west of Blanco, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
A deer ran onto the road about 5:45 p.m. and it was struck by the motorcycle driven by Darren Ronald Hatchel, 48, of Italy, the DPS said.
Romine and Hatchel were thrown from the motorcycle. Romine died at the scene and Hatchel was taken to a hospital in San Antonio with serious injuries, the DPS said.
The deer was killed, according to the DPS.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
5 Die on Dallas-Bound Flight
OKLAHOMA CITY — A small aircraft plummeted into a Tulsa park and burst into flames Saturday, killing all five people on board, investigators said.
The six-passenger plane was on its way to Dallas when it crashed after hitting a communications tower guy wire amid heavy fog near a baseball field, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. George Brown said.
"The wings came off. The engine came off," Brown said. "When it hit, it rolled. It did catch fire. It rolled at least a couple of times, ejecting the occupants."
Brown said the victims were Dr. Stephen Lester, 48, the pilot; his wife, Dana, 48; daughters Laura, 16, and Christina, 13; and Dr. Ken Veteto, 50. All were from Tulsa. No one on the ground was injured.
The pilot’s uncle, Mike Lester, said the couple had two other children who weren’t on the plane.
"It’s really difficult," Lester said, his voice shaking, during a phone interview.
He said the family was traveling to Dallas to watch the University of Oklahoma kick off its football season against Brigham Young University at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
"They were both avid OU fans," he said.
The Piper PA-32 took off for Dallas Love Field from Jones Riverside Airport in Tulsa at 10:37 a.m. It crashed about 30 minutes later at Chandler Park, a recreation area with athletic fields and picnic facilities.
The tower in the park was 150 to 200 feet tall, Brown said.
"There was a low cloud ceiling that obscured the communications tower," he said. "It’s apparent that the pilot did not see this tower."
FAA records indicate the aircraft was manufactured in 1976 and registered to Stephen Lester of Tulsa.
Lester, an anesthesiologist, was a devoted father who was involved in all aspects of his children’s lives, his uncle said.
"They took family vacations several times a year," Mike Lester said.
The doctor was heavily involved in his church and recently returned from a mission trip to Africa. He bought the aircraft so he could fly across the country to give seminars on pain medication to other doctors, Mike Lester said.
Veteto specialized in internal medicine at the Warren Clinic in Tulsa, according to the clinic’s Web site.
A listing for his home phone number couldn’t be found Saturday, and his clinic’s office was closed for the weekend.
The six-passenger plane was on its way to Dallas when it crashed after hitting a communications tower guy wire amid heavy fog near a baseball field, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. George Brown said.
"The wings came off. The engine came off," Brown said. "When it hit, it rolled. It did catch fire. It rolled at least a couple of times, ejecting the occupants."
Brown said the victims were Dr. Stephen Lester, 48, the pilot; his wife, Dana, 48; daughters Laura, 16, and Christina, 13; and Dr. Ken Veteto, 50. All were from Tulsa. No one on the ground was injured.
The pilot’s uncle, Mike Lester, said the couple had two other children who weren’t on the plane.
"It’s really difficult," Lester said, his voice shaking, during a phone interview.
He said the family was traveling to Dallas to watch the University of Oklahoma kick off its football season against Brigham Young University at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
"They were both avid OU fans," he said.
The Piper PA-32 took off for Dallas Love Field from Jones Riverside Airport in Tulsa at 10:37 a.m. It crashed about 30 minutes later at Chandler Park, a recreation area with athletic fields and picnic facilities.
The tower in the park was 150 to 200 feet tall, Brown said.
"There was a low cloud ceiling that obscured the communications tower," he said. "It’s apparent that the pilot did not see this tower."
FAA records indicate the aircraft was manufactured in 1976 and registered to Stephen Lester of Tulsa.
Lester, an anesthesiologist, was a devoted father who was involved in all aspects of his children’s lives, his uncle said.
"They took family vacations several times a year," Mike Lester said.
The doctor was heavily involved in his church and recently returned from a mission trip to Africa. He bought the aircraft so he could fly across the country to give seminars on pain medication to other doctors, Mike Lester said.
Veteto specialized in internal medicine at the Warren Clinic in Tulsa, according to the clinic’s Web site.
A listing for his home phone number couldn’t be found Saturday, and his clinic’s office was closed for the weekend.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Deadly Wreck Leads to Manslaughter Charges
A Lake Dallas man is accused of intoxication manslaughter after a 53-year-old woman was killed in a traffic accident near Interstate 35E in Lewisville early this morning, police said.
Ana-Maria Landa of Lewisville was driving a white Isuzu sport utility vehicle at the Fox Avenue underpass when a Chevy Avalanche rear-ended her vehicle and pushed it across the service road and into an embankment about 12:15 a.m., authorities said.
According to the Tarrant County medical examiner's Web site, Landa died at the scene.
Larence Daven Carter, 31, of Lake Dallas received minor injuries and was arrested on a suspicion of intoxication manslaughter, Lewisville police said. The Lewisville jail did not have bail information available this morning.
Ana-Maria Landa of Lewisville was driving a white Isuzu sport utility vehicle at the Fox Avenue underpass when a Chevy Avalanche rear-ended her vehicle and pushed it across the service road and into an embankment about 12:15 a.m., authorities said.
According to the Tarrant County medical examiner's Web site, Landa died at the scene.
Larence Daven Carter, 31, of Lake Dallas received minor injuries and was arrested on a suspicion of intoxication manslaughter, Lewisville police said. The Lewisville jail did not have bail information available this morning.
Rollover Wreck Kills One
The one-vehicle crash occurred about 10 p.m. in the 8100 block of Mount Houston Road, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
The driver of a 1996 black Ford Explorer was traveling westbound when he lost control, causing the SUV to spin around, cross the eastbound lane into a ditch and roll over, deputies said.
The driver, whose name has not been released, apparently was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.
The driver, whose name has not been released, apparently was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.
No other injuries were reported.
The driver of a 1996 black Ford Explorer was traveling westbound when he lost control, causing the SUV to spin around, cross the eastbound lane into a ditch and roll over, deputies said.
The driver, whose name has not been released, apparently was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.
The driver, whose name has not been released, apparently was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.
No other injuries were reported.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Harris County Motorcycle Wreck Kills One Man
One person died in a motorcycle wreck on northbound U.S. 59 in northeast Harris County this morning, sheriff's deputies said.
Few details were available, but the crash occurred before 3:30 a.m. today on the highway after Townsen, according to Houston TranStar. No other vehicles were involved.
Few details were available, but the crash occurred before 3:30 a.m. today on the highway after Townsen, according to Houston TranStar. No other vehicles were involved.
Grand Prairie Wreck Kills Man
A man was killed and an elderly woman was critically injured in Grand Prairie late Tuesday night after they were involved in a four-vehicle wreck that was caused by a driver who fled the scene, police said.
The identities of both victims were unavailable early Wednesday morning.
The wreck occurred shortly after 9 p.m. at South Belt Line Road and Stratford Drive in northeastern Grand Prairie.
Police are looking for a newer model black Ford F-250 or F-350 Harley-Davidson Edition pickup that was equipped with chrome wheels at the time of the wreck.
Police believe the truck sustained heavy front-end damage. Police also believe the suspect was in in his mid 20s.
The truck was last seen driving southbound on Belt Line Road.
No other details were immediately available Wednesday morning.
The identities of both victims were unavailable early Wednesday morning.
The wreck occurred shortly after 9 p.m. at South Belt Line Road and Stratford Drive in northeastern Grand Prairie.
Police are looking for a newer model black Ford F-250 or F-350 Harley-Davidson Edition pickup that was equipped with chrome wheels at the time of the wreck.
Police believe the truck sustained heavy front-end damage. Police also believe the suspect was in in his mid 20s.
The truck was last seen driving southbound on Belt Line Road.
No other details were immediately available Wednesday morning.
Taser Death Leads to Lawsuit
FORT WORTH — The family of a mentally ill man who died after he was shocked twice with a Taser fired by a Fort Worth police officer filed a federal lawsuit against the city and the police officer.
In the lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Fort Worth by the parents of Michael Patrick Jacobs Jr., the family is suing for damages in excess of $75,000 from the city and Cpl. Stephanie A. Phillips, the officer who deployed the Taser. Jacobs, 24, died in police custody April 18.
Last week Tarrant County Medical Examiner Nizam Peerwani ruled Jacobs’ death a homicide, saying that his death was caused after being shocked by the Taser for 54 seconds, "overstimulating his nervous system." A Taser issues 50,000 volts with each shock that can temporarily immobilize a person.
Brian Eberstein, who is representing the Jacobs family in the lawsuit, declined to comment on the case Tuesday.
The lawsuit claims that Phillips used excessive force and that Jacobs’ death was caused by "the gross neglect of the city of Fort Worth in failing to properly train and supervise its police officers in the proper use of Tasers."
On Thursday, Peerwani released his investigator’s report, which stated that Phillips told a detective after the incident that she "unknowingly kept the Taser trigger engaged for an unknown amount of time when she first applied the Taser, thus increasing the pre-programmed shock duration cycle of five seconds."
The first Taser shock lasted 49 seconds and, after a one-second interval, the second shock lasted five seconds.
When Phillips warned Jacobs that she would shock him again if he did not "cease fighting," she shocked him an additional time for five seconds, according to the report.
According to the report, Jacobs experienced "sudden death during neuromuscular incapacitation due to application of a conducted energy device."
There were no signs of drugs in his system, and no indication of chemical imbalances or heart or lung disease, according to the medical examiner’s report.
The Fort Worth City Council was scheduled to get a briefing on the Jacobs case Tuesday. Deputy City Attorney Gerald Pruitt said the city hasn’t been served with the suit, "although we’re aware of it."
The city has hired an attorney to represent Phillips, which is customary in wrongful-death cases.
State law caps the liability of cities and other governmental agencies at $250,000 per individual claim or $500,000 per incident.
Sgt. Pedro Criado, a Fort Worth police spokesman, could not be reached for comment Tuesday but has said it is inappropriate to comment in an ongoing investigation.
Jacobs is the fourth person to be killed by the use of a Taser by the Fort Worth police. His death is the only one ruled a homicide.
In the lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Fort Worth by the parents of Michael Patrick Jacobs Jr., the family is suing for damages in excess of $75,000 from the city and Cpl. Stephanie A. Phillips, the officer who deployed the Taser. Jacobs, 24, died in police custody April 18.
Last week Tarrant County Medical Examiner Nizam Peerwani ruled Jacobs’ death a homicide, saying that his death was caused after being shocked by the Taser for 54 seconds, "overstimulating his nervous system." A Taser issues 50,000 volts with each shock that can temporarily immobilize a person.
Brian Eberstein, who is representing the Jacobs family in the lawsuit, declined to comment on the case Tuesday.
The lawsuit claims that Phillips used excessive force and that Jacobs’ death was caused by "the gross neglect of the city of Fort Worth in failing to properly train and supervise its police officers in the proper use of Tasers."
On Thursday, Peerwani released his investigator’s report, which stated that Phillips told a detective after the incident that she "unknowingly kept the Taser trigger engaged for an unknown amount of time when she first applied the Taser, thus increasing the pre-programmed shock duration cycle of five seconds."
The first Taser shock lasted 49 seconds and, after a one-second interval, the second shock lasted five seconds.
When Phillips warned Jacobs that she would shock him again if he did not "cease fighting," she shocked him an additional time for five seconds, according to the report.
According to the report, Jacobs experienced "sudden death during neuromuscular incapacitation due to application of a conducted energy device."
There were no signs of drugs in his system, and no indication of chemical imbalances or heart or lung disease, according to the medical examiner’s report.
The Fort Worth City Council was scheduled to get a briefing on the Jacobs case Tuesday. Deputy City Attorney Gerald Pruitt said the city hasn’t been served with the suit, "although we’re aware of it."
The city has hired an attorney to represent Phillips, which is customary in wrongful-death cases.
State law caps the liability of cities and other governmental agencies at $250,000 per individual claim or $500,000 per incident.
Sgt. Pedro Criado, a Fort Worth police spokesman, could not be reached for comment Tuesday but has said it is inappropriate to comment in an ongoing investigation.
Jacobs is the fourth person to be killed by the use of a Taser by the Fort Worth police. His death is the only one ruled a homicide.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Cleburne Wreck Kills Man
A Rio Vista man died Monday from injuries he received in motor vehicle wreck south of Cleburne.
Walter Gill, 68, was identified by the Tarrant County medical examiner's office.
He died 1:50 p.m. Monday at the trauma intensive care unit at Texas Health Fort Worth hospital, the medical examiner's office. reported.
The wreck occurred Monday morning near the intersection of Texas 174 and Junge Road, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The location was in a rural area south of Cleburne and north of Rio Vista.
Additional information about the wreck was not immediately available.
Walter Gill, 68, was identified by the Tarrant County medical examiner's office.
He died 1:50 p.m. Monday at the trauma intensive care unit at Texas Health Fort Worth hospital, the medical examiner's office. reported.
The wreck occurred Monday morning near the intersection of Texas 174 and Junge Road, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The location was in a rural area south of Cleburne and north of Rio Vista.
Additional information about the wreck was not immediately available.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
19 year old Man Killed on Blue Mound Road in Saginaw Texas
SAGINAW — A 19-year-old man died Friday after his Dodge Ram pickup left the road, went down and embankment and landed upside down on Blue Mound Road.
A woman who was also in the vehicle during the collision was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital with unknown injuries, police said.
Officers responded to the accident call about 10:40 a.m. Friday, said Damon Ing, Saginaw police spokesman.
It appears as though the Dodge was traveling eastbound on Loop 820 and left the road, flipped once and landed upside down on Blue Mound Road, Ing said.
The woman's condition was not available. The incident was still under investigation late Friday, Ing said.
A woman who was also in the vehicle during the collision was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital with unknown injuries, police said.
Officers responded to the accident call about 10:40 a.m. Friday, said Damon Ing, Saginaw police spokesman.
It appears as though the Dodge was traveling eastbound on Loop 820 and left the road, flipped once and landed upside down on Blue Mound Road, Ing said.
The woman's condition was not available. The incident was still under investigation late Friday, Ing said.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Death Caused by Taser
FORT WORTH — A Fort Worth man's death just moments after he was shot by a Taser stun gun has been ruled a homicide, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner.
Michael Patrick Jacobs Jr., 24, was pronounced dead about noon April 18, two hours after his parents called 911 because he was causing a disturbance at their east Fort Worth home, according to police reports.
Police shot Jacobs twice with the Taser, one for 49 seconds and one for five seconds.
The medical examiner's report says Jacobs died of "sudden death during neuromuscular incapacitation due to application" of the Taser.
There were no drugs found in his system, according to the report.
When officers arrived, Jacobs would not cooperate with them, and one officer shot him with a Taser when he became combative, police have said.
After being shot with the Taser he fell down face first and later become unresponsive.
Family members have said that police used excessive force.
According to documents obtained by the Star-Telegram, a MedStar paramedic had reported that the defibrillator apparently did not work when they were attempting to revive him.
But a MedStar official said that the machine was operational and that the monitor did not register a reading, he said, because Jacobs' heart had stopped and because cellphone and radio transmissions at the scene could have interfered.
Michael Patrick Jacobs Jr., 24, was pronounced dead about noon April 18, two hours after his parents called 911 because he was causing a disturbance at their east Fort Worth home, according to police reports.
Police shot Jacobs twice with the Taser, one for 49 seconds and one for five seconds.
The medical examiner's report says Jacobs died of "sudden death during neuromuscular incapacitation due to application" of the Taser.
There were no drugs found in his system, according to the report.
When officers arrived, Jacobs would not cooperate with them, and one officer shot him with a Taser when he became combative, police have said.
After being shot with the Taser he fell down face first and later become unresponsive.
Family members have said that police used excessive force.
According to documents obtained by the Star-Telegram, a MedStar paramedic had reported that the defibrillator apparently did not work when they were attempting to revive him.
But a MedStar official said that the machine was operational and that the monitor did not register a reading, he said, because Jacobs' heart had stopped and because cellphone and radio transmissions at the scene could have interfered.
Jury Convicts Man of Sexual Assault
FORT WORTH -- A Mineral Wells man was found guilty of sexually assaulting the 12-year-old daughter of his girlfriend.
The Tarrant County jury deliberated about two hours Wednesday night before convicting Kenyon Cox of two counts of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of indecency with a child.
However, the jury did not return the verdict until Thursday morning because Cox’s attorney had to leave while the jury deliberated Wednesday night.
A punishment hearing for Cox began immediately after the verdict was read in Criminal District Court No. 2. If prosecutors prove that he had prior felony convictions, he faces up to life in prison on each of the four counts.
Of nine counts, jurors were asked to decide two counts of aggravated sexual assault alleged to have occurred June 8, 2007, and two counts of indecency with a child alleged to have occurred May 1, 2007 — all in White Settlement.
Prosecutors Amy Collum and Hugo Martinez told jurors there was no question that Cox repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl, although she failed to tell anyone about it and denied it to Child Protective Services.
Collum reminded jurors that the girl, now 14, and her two siblings had testified that Cox beat them with a paddle, held a gun to their mother’s head, burned her private area with a torch, held a razor to the chest of the youngest girl, beat their puppy to death with a baseball bat and threatened to kill the family if the older girl reported the abuse.
“Is it any wonder that she would not tell when she was living in hell with this guy?” Collum asked. “Wouldn’t you be afraid?”
The children said they and their mother began living with Cox in 2005, shortly after their parents separated. They lived with Cox’s father in Weatherford until the older man became upset at a severe beating Cox gave the girls’ brother, the boy testified.
The family was living in a motel when Cox gave the older girl an alcoholic drink, then exposed himself and made her perform a sex act, she said.
The girl said the sex acts and fondling continued and included attempts by Cox to have sex with her in their White Settlement apartment while her mother was at work and her younger siblings were in another room.
The boy, now 12, said he didn’t see Cox abusing his sister but heard her say “ow!” from the other room. He said Cox treated her sister differently, sometimes giving her presents. The girl said Cox told her that “if you want me to do something for you, you have to do something for me.”
Defense attorney Pia Rodriguez told jurors that Cox might be “the most violent man in the world” but that it doesn’t mean he sexually assaulted the girl.
She reminded jurors that the girl had repeatedly denied being sexually abused when questioned by CPS workers.
Rodriguez contended that the girl and her brother only made the allegations after CPS officials turned them over to their father, who acknowledged disliking Cox.
Collum said Cox’s multiple escape attempts were evidence that “he knew he did it.”
Two years ago, as police and child-abuse investigators knocked on his door, Cox climbed out a bedroom window with his girlfriend’s three children, including the 12-year-old girl he was sexually assaulting.
A week later, Cox fled from a White Settlement detective who was trying to arrest him on a warrant for aggravated sexual assault based on the girl’s allegations, the detective testified.
And last year, the 32-year-old Mineral Wells man eluded police for two days after he cut off his ankle monitor after being bailed out of the Tarrant County Jail by two former inmates who used proceeds from bank robberies, authorities said.
The two men who bailed Cox out of jail, Thomas Jochum and Donald Mark Scott, are serving time for federal bank robbery convictions. Jochum was sentenced to 20 years in prison for two robberies and Scott to more than nine years for one robbery, Collum said.
The Tarrant County jury deliberated about two hours Wednesday night before convicting Kenyon Cox of two counts of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of indecency with a child.
However, the jury did not return the verdict until Thursday morning because Cox’s attorney had to leave while the jury deliberated Wednesday night.
A punishment hearing for Cox began immediately after the verdict was read in Criminal District Court No. 2. If prosecutors prove that he had prior felony convictions, he faces up to life in prison on each of the four counts.
Of nine counts, jurors were asked to decide two counts of aggravated sexual assault alleged to have occurred June 8, 2007, and two counts of indecency with a child alleged to have occurred May 1, 2007 — all in White Settlement.
Prosecutors Amy Collum and Hugo Martinez told jurors there was no question that Cox repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl, although she failed to tell anyone about it and denied it to Child Protective Services.
Collum reminded jurors that the girl, now 14, and her two siblings had testified that Cox beat them with a paddle, held a gun to their mother’s head, burned her private area with a torch, held a razor to the chest of the youngest girl, beat their puppy to death with a baseball bat and threatened to kill the family if the older girl reported the abuse.
“Is it any wonder that she would not tell when she was living in hell with this guy?” Collum asked. “Wouldn’t you be afraid?”
The children said they and their mother began living with Cox in 2005, shortly after their parents separated. They lived with Cox’s father in Weatherford until the older man became upset at a severe beating Cox gave the girls’ brother, the boy testified.
The family was living in a motel when Cox gave the older girl an alcoholic drink, then exposed himself and made her perform a sex act, she said.
The girl said the sex acts and fondling continued and included attempts by Cox to have sex with her in their White Settlement apartment while her mother was at work and her younger siblings were in another room.
The boy, now 12, said he didn’t see Cox abusing his sister but heard her say “ow!” from the other room. He said Cox treated her sister differently, sometimes giving her presents. The girl said Cox told her that “if you want me to do something for you, you have to do something for me.”
Defense attorney Pia Rodriguez told jurors that Cox might be “the most violent man in the world” but that it doesn’t mean he sexually assaulted the girl.
She reminded jurors that the girl had repeatedly denied being sexually abused when questioned by CPS workers.
Rodriguez contended that the girl and her brother only made the allegations after CPS officials turned them over to their father, who acknowledged disliking Cox.
Collum said Cox’s multiple escape attempts were evidence that “he knew he did it.”
Two years ago, as police and child-abuse investigators knocked on his door, Cox climbed out a bedroom window with his girlfriend’s three children, including the 12-year-old girl he was sexually assaulting.
A week later, Cox fled from a White Settlement detective who was trying to arrest him on a warrant for aggravated sexual assault based on the girl’s allegations, the detective testified.
And last year, the 32-year-old Mineral Wells man eluded police for two days after he cut off his ankle monitor after being bailed out of the Tarrant County Jail by two former inmates who used proceeds from bank robberies, authorities said.
The two men who bailed Cox out of jail, Thomas Jochum and Donald Mark Scott, are serving time for federal bank robbery convictions. Jochum was sentenced to 20 years in prison for two robberies and Scott to more than nine years for one robbery, Collum said.
Bridgeport Teen to be Remembered at Game
When Bridgeport opens its football season Friday night, the pompoms and megaphones of Leslie Denison and Becca Logan will be on the sidelines, a tribute to the two teens.
Denison, 17, a cheerleader and cross-country runner at Bridgeport High School, was killed Tuesday afternoon after an awning collapsed on her and Logan as they ran by a downtown gym.
A preliminary engineer’s report indicates that structural fatigue caused the awning to collapse.
Logan, 17, also a cheerleader and cross-country runner, suffered facial cuts and was treated at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. She returned home early Wednesday.
"Becca is doing much better," her father, Brad Logan, said Wednesday. "They did surgery on her face last night. She will be fine, but it’ll take a little while."
The community has been very supportive and gifts, cards and calls have been pouring in, he said.
At the high school, students and staffers created a makeshift memorial of flowers, pictures, teddy bears and messages. "Both of the young ladies are just absolute model students — outgoing individuals in everything, National Honor Society, cheerleading, basketball, cross country; just unbelievable young ladies," Bridgeport Superintendent Eddie Bland said.
Grief counselors and clergy members were at Bridgeport schools in case students and faculty members needed to talk, Bland said.
Denison’s mother, Marcie Cox, is a second-grade teacher at Bridgeport Elementary School, Bland said.
"There’s a lot of heartache, not just on that campus, but through the rest of the district and the community," he said.
School started this week, and Friday’s football game against Breckenridge is the season opener for the Wise County school about 40 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
Friday’s planned pep rally has been canceled, said Jaime Sturdivant, principal at Bridgeport High.
"Having a pep rally just didn’t feel right," she said.
But she said officials decided to play the game because "it’s what Leslie would have wanted them to do."
Sturdivant described Denison as an all-American girl, the one you would want your daughter to emulate and your son to date. Logan was her best friend.
"They were always together," Sturdivant said. "That’s what makes this accident really a tragedy because she has to deal with surviving and her best friend being killed."
Denison and Logan were running past Club Barbell, a private gym in the 1100 block of Halsell Street, about 4 p.m. Tuesday when the building’s awning gave way, authorities said.
Engineers’ preliminary report suggests that structural fatigue may have caused the awning to fall, said Amber Fogelman, the city’s spokeswoman. Age may have also been a factor, she said. The building has been in downtown since the 1960s. City officials are looking at other buildings downtown to make sure there are no other hazards, Fogelman said.
"It still appears to be a freak accident," Fogelman said.
Denison’s was the second unexpected death to affect the community this year. In April, police Sgt. Randy White, 32, was killed when his parked patrol car was rear-ended by a sport utility vehicle during a high-speed chase.
"The community was just starting to bounce back and get into a regular routine," Fogelman said.
Denison, 17, a cheerleader and cross-country runner at Bridgeport High School, was killed Tuesday afternoon after an awning collapsed on her and Logan as they ran by a downtown gym.
A preliminary engineer’s report indicates that structural fatigue caused the awning to collapse.
Logan, 17, also a cheerleader and cross-country runner, suffered facial cuts and was treated at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. She returned home early Wednesday.
"Becca is doing much better," her father, Brad Logan, said Wednesday. "They did surgery on her face last night. She will be fine, but it’ll take a little while."
The community has been very supportive and gifts, cards and calls have been pouring in, he said.
At the high school, students and staffers created a makeshift memorial of flowers, pictures, teddy bears and messages. "Both of the young ladies are just absolute model students — outgoing individuals in everything, National Honor Society, cheerleading, basketball, cross country; just unbelievable young ladies," Bridgeport Superintendent Eddie Bland said.
Grief counselors and clergy members were at Bridgeport schools in case students and faculty members needed to talk, Bland said.
Denison’s mother, Marcie Cox, is a second-grade teacher at Bridgeport Elementary School, Bland said.
"There’s a lot of heartache, not just on that campus, but through the rest of the district and the community," he said.
School started this week, and Friday’s football game against Breckenridge is the season opener for the Wise County school about 40 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
Friday’s planned pep rally has been canceled, said Jaime Sturdivant, principal at Bridgeport High.
"Having a pep rally just didn’t feel right," she said.
But she said officials decided to play the game because "it’s what Leslie would have wanted them to do."
Sturdivant described Denison as an all-American girl, the one you would want your daughter to emulate and your son to date. Logan was her best friend.
"They were always together," Sturdivant said. "That’s what makes this accident really a tragedy because she has to deal with surviving and her best friend being killed."
Denison and Logan were running past Club Barbell, a private gym in the 1100 block of Halsell Street, about 4 p.m. Tuesday when the building’s awning gave way, authorities said.
Engineers’ preliminary report suggests that structural fatigue may have caused the awning to fall, said Amber Fogelman, the city’s spokeswoman. Age may have also been a factor, she said. The building has been in downtown since the 1960s. City officials are looking at other buildings downtown to make sure there are no other hazards, Fogelman said.
"It still appears to be a freak accident," Fogelman said.
Denison’s was the second unexpected death to affect the community this year. In April, police Sgt. Randy White, 32, was killed when his parked patrol car was rear-ended by a sport utility vehicle during a high-speed chase.
"The community was just starting to bounce back and get into a regular routine," Fogelman said.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Motorcycle Death in Fort Worth
FORT WORTH -- A man died Saturday after he struck the rear of a car and was thrown from his silver Kawasaki motorcycle.
Police said the man, who has not been identified, was going eastbound at a high rate of speed on Interstate 20 about 11:30 a.m.
Then, the motorcycle rider crossed from the outside lane to the exit lane to get off the freeway at Wichita Street. The motorcyclist may have touched or struck the front of an 18-wheeler’s cab before continuing down the exit ramp, police said.
The motorcycle struck the rear of a black Ford Focus ahead of him on the exit ramp, according to police. The collision caused the Ford’s driver to lose control and strike the guardrail, but neither the driver nor her three-year-old son were injured, police said.
Detectives would like to speak with the driver of the 18-wheeler that may have been struck by the motorcycle.
Police said the man, who has not been identified, was going eastbound at a high rate of speed on Interstate 20 about 11:30 a.m.
Then, the motorcycle rider crossed from the outside lane to the exit lane to get off the freeway at Wichita Street. The motorcyclist may have touched or struck the front of an 18-wheeler’s cab before continuing down the exit ramp, police said.
The motorcycle struck the rear of a black Ford Focus ahead of him on the exit ramp, according to police. The collision caused the Ford’s driver to lose control and strike the guardrail, but neither the driver nor her three-year-old son were injured, police said.
Detectives would like to speak with the driver of the 18-wheeler that may have been struck by the motorcycle.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Cause of Fire and Injuries Discovered
Investigators believe spontaneous combustion caused the fire Monday that consumed a pickup truck in rural northeast Johnson County, killing its driver and severely burning his teenage daughter.
Jessie Pack, 34, of Venus was driving a 1994 Ford pickup about 4 p.m. Monday on County Road 213 east of Alvarado. That's when a fire erupted in the pickup bed and spread to the cab, according to earlier reports.
Both Pack and his 14-year-old daughter, Anastaza, were taken by helicopter ambulance to Parkland Memorial Hospital where he died of his injuries.
The girl was listed in critical condition Thursday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Johnson County fire investigators reported that the blaze appeared to have started in tightly compacted trash bags that were in the back of the truck, Lt. Tim Jones, sheriff's spokesman, said Thursday.
Some of the bags contained pet manure, Jones said. There also was at least one small propane bottle that appeared to have contributed fuel to the blaze, he said.
The combustion may have occurred as heat bore down on the contents of the pickup bed, and the flames were probably fanned as the truck traveled down the road, Jones said.
After the fire spread to the cab, the truck went off the roadway, went through a fence and struck a tree, authorities said.
Jones noted, however, that the fire was still under investigation Thursday.
Members of the Venus community have been organizing a blood drive for the girl, but details were unavailable Thursday morning.
Jessie Pack, 34, of Venus was driving a 1994 Ford pickup about 4 p.m. Monday on County Road 213 east of Alvarado. That's when a fire erupted in the pickup bed and spread to the cab, according to earlier reports.
Both Pack and his 14-year-old daughter, Anastaza, were taken by helicopter ambulance to Parkland Memorial Hospital where he died of his injuries.
The girl was listed in critical condition Thursday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Johnson County fire investigators reported that the blaze appeared to have started in tightly compacted trash bags that were in the back of the truck, Lt. Tim Jones, sheriff's spokesman, said Thursday.
Some of the bags contained pet manure, Jones said. There also was at least one small propane bottle that appeared to have contributed fuel to the blaze, he said.
The combustion may have occurred as heat bore down on the contents of the pickup bed, and the flames were probably fanned as the truck traveled down the road, Jones said.
After the fire spread to the cab, the truck went off the roadway, went through a fence and struck a tree, authorities said.
Jones noted, however, that the fire was still under investigation Thursday.
Members of the Venus community have been organizing a blood drive for the girl, but details were unavailable Thursday morning.
Death in Accident in Austin on I35
One person was killed another was injured in a head-on collision last night in the 13200 block of southbound Interstate 35 South, police said.
About 9:50 p.m., a silver sport-utility vehicle was traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-35 near Onion Creek Parkway when it slammed head-on into a green pickup, Cpl. Scott Perry with the Austin Police Department said today.
The driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene, Perry said, and the driver of the pickup was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge by STARflight with critical injuries.
Perry did not know if anybody else was injured in the collision.
About 9:50 p.m., a silver sport-utility vehicle was traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-35 near Onion Creek Parkway when it slammed head-on into a green pickup, Cpl. Scott Perry with the Austin Police Department said today.
The driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene, Perry said, and the driver of the pickup was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge by STARflight with critical injuries.
Perry did not know if anybody else was injured in the collision.
Accusation: Boy in Wheelchair Hit
A 23-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday evening after getting into a scuffle over a soccer ball with a 13-year-old boy in a wheelchair at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
Mikka Shardai Cline of Waco faces a charge of injury to a child. She was being held Wednesday in the Dallas County Jail in lieu of $1,500 bail. She could not be reached for comment.
Dallas police said that during the scuffle, Cline struck the boy's presurgical medical halo, which was screwed into his skull.
"The medical halo is plainly visible to any ordinary person," a police report said.
The boy's uncle told police he had bought his nephew a soccer ball, and about 6 p.m. the uncle retrieved it from a bush on the hospital grounds at 2200 Welborn St.
Cline and her sister also were trying to get the ball, police said. The sister told officers she had gotten it from the hospital's playground area.
The sisters were visiting a family member being treated at the hospital, hospital spokeswoman Shelley Ryan said.
"We have a park out in the front of our hospital as well as a youth fitness park," Ryan said. "We encourage them to go outside and be active and participate in sports."
Police say that after the boy's uncle handed him the ball, Cline's sister tried to get it from his lap, but was blocked by the boy's uncle.
Police say Cline then tried to grab the ball, swinging her fist twice toward the boy in the wheelchair. It was not clear, according to the police report, whether Cline was swinging at the boy or trying to knock the ball from his lap.
Her first swing missed, but her second swing struck the boy's halo, causing him pain, police say.
"Cline was reckless due to the fact that she consciously disregarded the risk to a child in a halo in which an ordinary person would not [have] swung her fist near a person with a halo," the police report said.
Dallas officers responded when notified by hospital security about the disturbance.
"The most important thing is ensuring that families and our children that are here are safe, and they are restored back to health as quickly as possible," Ryan said. "Obviously we're doing everything in our power to make sure that that happens for all of the thousands of kids that we treat here."
Mikka Shardai Cline of Waco faces a charge of injury to a child. She was being held Wednesday in the Dallas County Jail in lieu of $1,500 bail. She could not be reached for comment.
Dallas police said that during the scuffle, Cline struck the boy's presurgical medical halo, which was screwed into his skull.
"The medical halo is plainly visible to any ordinary person," a police report said.
The boy's uncle told police he had bought his nephew a soccer ball, and about 6 p.m. the uncle retrieved it from a bush on the hospital grounds at 2200 Welborn St.
Cline and her sister also were trying to get the ball, police said. The sister told officers she had gotten it from the hospital's playground area.
The sisters were visiting a family member being treated at the hospital, hospital spokeswoman Shelley Ryan said.
"We have a park out in the front of our hospital as well as a youth fitness park," Ryan said. "We encourage them to go outside and be active and participate in sports."
Police say that after the boy's uncle handed him the ball, Cline's sister tried to get it from his lap, but was blocked by the boy's uncle.
Police say Cline then tried to grab the ball, swinging her fist twice toward the boy in the wheelchair. It was not clear, according to the police report, whether Cline was swinging at the boy or trying to knock the ball from his lap.
Her first swing missed, but her second swing struck the boy's halo, causing him pain, police say.
"Cline was reckless due to the fact that she consciously disregarded the risk to a child in a halo in which an ordinary person would not [have] swung her fist near a person with a halo," the police report said.
Dallas officers responded when notified by hospital security about the disturbance.
"The most important thing is ensuring that families and our children that are here are safe, and they are restored back to health as quickly as possible," Ryan said. "Obviously we're doing everything in our power to make sure that that happens for all of the thousands of kids that we treat here."
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Man Dies in Johnson County when Truck Catches Fire
JOHNSON COUNTY -- A 34-year-old man died and his 14-year-old daughter was hospitalized on Monday after his pickup truck caught fire, according to authorities.
Jessie Pack was driving his 1994 Ford pickup on County Road 213 about 4 p.m. when a fire erupted in the pickup bed and spread to the cab, a news release from the Sheriff’s Department said.
After the fire spread to the cab, the truck went off the roadway, went through a fence and struck a tree, authorities said.
Both Pack and his daughter were able to get out of the truck, but not before the fire caused them to injured severely, authorities said.
Both Pack and his daughter were taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital by helicopter ambulance.
Pack died early Tuesday from injuries sustained during the fire. His daughter was listed in critical condition at the Parkland burn unit, the release said.
Department of Public Safety troopers are not sure what caused the fire, and are continuing to investigate the incident, Trooper Richard Zaborowski said.
County Road 213 is a north-south roadway east of Alvarado.
Jessie Pack was driving his 1994 Ford pickup on County Road 213 about 4 p.m. when a fire erupted in the pickup bed and spread to the cab, a news release from the Sheriff’s Department said.
After the fire spread to the cab, the truck went off the roadway, went through a fence and struck a tree, authorities said.
Both Pack and his daughter were able to get out of the truck, but not before the fire caused them to injured severely, authorities said.
Both Pack and his daughter were taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital by helicopter ambulance.
Pack died early Tuesday from injuries sustained during the fire. His daughter was listed in critical condition at the Parkland burn unit, the release said.
Department of Public Safety troopers are not sure what caused the fire, and are continuing to investigate the incident, Trooper Richard Zaborowski said.
County Road 213 is a north-south roadway east of Alvarado.
Strange Accident in Grand Prairie
GRAND PRAIRIE — Drenched in blood, Vincent Paul Riojas burst through the front door of his family’s east Grand Prairie home Saturday night.
Without explanation, he rushed out again, his mother later told Grand Prairie police.
Outside, next to the house, Riojas’ mother saw his 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. It had been damaged, she told officers.
And inside, she could see a bloody man hunched over in the back seat.
"As far as she knew, her son had been involved in an altercation," Grand Prairie traffic Sgt. Eric Hansen said Monday. "After she saw the man in the back seat, she called 911. She thought the friend had been injured also."
On the way to the house, responding officers noticed a mangled blue mountain bike in front of an auto body shop in the 3400 block of East Main Street, Hansen said.
When the officers arrived at the Riojas’ home in the 400 block of Northeast 38th Street, they saw that the driver’s side of the Cavalier was crumpled and that the windshield was smashed.
Riojas’ home is less than a mile from where the mangled bike was found.
"They were able to put it together pretty fast that the vehicle had been involved in the wreck with the bike," Hansen said.
The man in the back seat was Ronnie Monroe Keller, 59, who lived in the neighborhood and rode his bike every day. He had been hit head-on by the Cavalier, police said Monday. Keller was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police arrested Riojas, 27, who was found hiding under a parked vehicle in the area.
What happened
Police believe that Riojas was drunk as he drove home about 9 p.m. Saturday. He was eastbound in the 3400 block of East Main Street and veered into the westbound lane, where Keller was riding, on a part of Main Street that veers to the left and narrows from a four-lane street to a single lane before coming to a dead end.
Investigators think the impact sent Keller’s body into the Cavalier’s windshield. Dents on the roof suggest that he tumbled over it and into the back window, where his body partially lodged.
How Keller got from the back window into the back seat is unclear, Hansen said.
"We’re not sure if [Riojas] just pulled Keller through the window or pulled him out and put him in the back seat," Hansen said. Riojas "was covered in blood, so obviously he came into physical contact with the victim."
Because Keller had been removed from the window, officers couldn’t tell which part of his body went through it.
Police are awaiting blood-test results on Riojas.
Security video from a nearby auto repair shop shows the Cavalier hitting the bicyclist at 9:04 p.m. Saturday. Police received the call from Riojas’ mother at 9:20 p.m.
Keller was pronounced dead about 20 minutes later.
"It is our belief, with the seriousness of the injuries, emergency crews would have had a greater chance of saving him had [Riojas] called for help when the wreck happened," Hansen said.
Kristen Cranford, who lived with Keller, her uncle, just blocks from where the wreck occurred, said: "He didn’t deserve to be treated like that. My uncle was a real person."
Riojas remained in the Grand Prairie Jail Monday with bail set at $150,000. He faces charges of intoxication manslaughter, resisting arrest, and failure to stop and render aid. He was also wanted on an unrelated felony warrant.
Riojas was convicted of multiple drug charges in 2006 in Dallas County and sentenced to five years in prison. He was released in November 2007 under supervision until Aug. 2, 2010, records show.
Without explanation, he rushed out again, his mother later told Grand Prairie police.
Outside, next to the house, Riojas’ mother saw his 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. It had been damaged, she told officers.
And inside, she could see a bloody man hunched over in the back seat.
"As far as she knew, her son had been involved in an altercation," Grand Prairie traffic Sgt. Eric Hansen said Monday. "After she saw the man in the back seat, she called 911. She thought the friend had been injured also."
On the way to the house, responding officers noticed a mangled blue mountain bike in front of an auto body shop in the 3400 block of East Main Street, Hansen said.
When the officers arrived at the Riojas’ home in the 400 block of Northeast 38th Street, they saw that the driver’s side of the Cavalier was crumpled and that the windshield was smashed.
Riojas’ home is less than a mile from where the mangled bike was found.
"They were able to put it together pretty fast that the vehicle had been involved in the wreck with the bike," Hansen said.
The man in the back seat was Ronnie Monroe Keller, 59, who lived in the neighborhood and rode his bike every day. He had been hit head-on by the Cavalier, police said Monday. Keller was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police arrested Riojas, 27, who was found hiding under a parked vehicle in the area.
What happened
Police believe that Riojas was drunk as he drove home about 9 p.m. Saturday. He was eastbound in the 3400 block of East Main Street and veered into the westbound lane, where Keller was riding, on a part of Main Street that veers to the left and narrows from a four-lane street to a single lane before coming to a dead end.
Investigators think the impact sent Keller’s body into the Cavalier’s windshield. Dents on the roof suggest that he tumbled over it and into the back window, where his body partially lodged.
How Keller got from the back window into the back seat is unclear, Hansen said.
"We’re not sure if [Riojas] just pulled Keller through the window or pulled him out and put him in the back seat," Hansen said. Riojas "was covered in blood, so obviously he came into physical contact with the victim."
Because Keller had been removed from the window, officers couldn’t tell which part of his body went through it.
Police are awaiting blood-test results on Riojas.
Security video from a nearby auto repair shop shows the Cavalier hitting the bicyclist at 9:04 p.m. Saturday. Police received the call from Riojas’ mother at 9:20 p.m.
Keller was pronounced dead about 20 minutes later.
"It is our belief, with the seriousness of the injuries, emergency crews would have had a greater chance of saving him had [Riojas] called for help when the wreck happened," Hansen said.
Kristen Cranford, who lived with Keller, her uncle, just blocks from where the wreck occurred, said: "He didn’t deserve to be treated like that. My uncle was a real person."
Riojas remained in the Grand Prairie Jail Monday with bail set at $150,000. He faces charges of intoxication manslaughter, resisting arrest, and failure to stop and render aid. He was also wanted on an unrelated felony warrant.
Riojas was convicted of multiple drug charges in 2006 in Dallas County and sentenced to five years in prison. He was released in November 2007 under supervision until Aug. 2, 2010, records show.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Man Drowns at Johnson County Gas Well Site
JOHNSON COUNTY -- A 25-year-old man drowned Friday while he was helping relocate a pump at a water storage pond near County Road 920.
Authorities responded to the drowning call about 12:30 p.m., a news release from the Johnson County sheriff's department said.
Workers near a gas-well site were swimming in the water storage pond with a water pump in an attempt to move it, but decided they would have to move the pump another way. The man was swimming with two other workers when he started gasping for air and sinking, a news release said. The pond is about 15-feet deep with an acre of surface area. The employees and their supervisor started searching for the man and called emergency workers, the release said.
The man, who has not been identified, was found about 45 minutes after disappearing underwater, the release said.
Authorities responded to the drowning call about 12:30 p.m., a news release from the Johnson County sheriff's department said.
Workers near a gas-well site were swimming in the water storage pond with a water pump in an attempt to move it, but decided they would have to move the pump another way. The man was swimming with two other workers when he started gasping for air and sinking, a news release said. The pond is about 15-feet deep with an acre of surface area. The employees and their supervisor started searching for the man and called emergency workers, the release said.
The man, who has not been identified, was found about 45 minutes after disappearing underwater, the release said.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Teen Killed Near Gainesville
For unknown reasons, a pedestrian was lying in the center of the west bound lane of FM 922 Monday evening and was run over by three separate vehicles. The deceased was identified as 19-year-old Devon James McKinnon.
Sergeant Ray Sappington of the Texas Highway Patrol in Cooke County said the incident took place Aug. 10 at about 10 p.m. on FM 922. The location on FM 922 was 2.2 miles East of 372 and the same distance from Mountain Springs.
Cooke County Sheriff Mike Compton said that basically, McKinnon was laying down in the driver’s lane on FM 922.
Compton said that one car ran over McKinnon because it couldn’t miss him. The driver of the car turned around to try to stop ongoing traffic from running over McKinnon again.
A second vehicle and then a third vehicle also ran over McKinnon.
McKinnon was wearing a black shirt, dark pants and was in a very rural area where there were no lights.
Sappington said that anti-seizure medication was found next to McKinnon’s body.
Sappington said McKinnon had a Valley View address but lived in the Mountain Springs area.
Cooke County Justice of the Peace Jason Brinkley has ordered an autopsy.
Sergeant Ray Sappington of the Texas Highway Patrol in Cooke County said the incident took place Aug. 10 at about 10 p.m. on FM 922. The location on FM 922 was 2.2 miles East of 372 and the same distance from Mountain Springs.
Cooke County Sheriff Mike Compton said that basically, McKinnon was laying down in the driver’s lane on FM 922.
Compton said that one car ran over McKinnon because it couldn’t miss him. The driver of the car turned around to try to stop ongoing traffic from running over McKinnon again.
A second vehicle and then a third vehicle also ran over McKinnon.
McKinnon was wearing a black shirt, dark pants and was in a very rural area where there were no lights.
Sappington said that anti-seizure medication was found next to McKinnon’s body.
Sappington said McKinnon had a Valley View address but lived in the Mountain Springs area.
Cooke County Justice of the Peace Jason Brinkley has ordered an autopsy.
Firefighter Injured due to Exploding Ammunition
MORGAN'S POINT RESORT, Texas -- A Central Texas firefighter escaped serious injury when he was struck by ammunition that exploded during a house fire.
Investigators searched for the cause of Thursday's fire at Morgan's Point Resort, in Bell County.
Morgan's Point Resort Fire Chief Bill Richards says one woman from the home was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Richards told KWTX-TV that ammunition stored inside the structure started to discharge during the blaze. Richards says a firefighter, wearing heavy gear, was hit in the chest by a bullet, but avoided serious injury.
Morgan's Point Resort is a town of about 4,000, located along Belton Lake.
Investigators searched for the cause of Thursday's fire at Morgan's Point Resort, in Bell County.
Morgan's Point Resort Fire Chief Bill Richards says one woman from the home was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Richards told KWTX-TV that ammunition stored inside the structure started to discharge during the blaze. Richards says a firefighter, wearing heavy gear, was hit in the chest by a bullet, but avoided serious injury.
Morgan's Point Resort is a town of about 4,000, located along Belton Lake.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Murder Charges for DWI Haltom City Car Wreck
HALTOM CITY -- A Haltom City woman with two previous driving while intoxication convictions was arraigned on a charge of murder Wednesday morning in the traffic death of a motorcyclist, police said.
Tammy Sue Stegall, 50, was in the Haltom City Jail with bail set at $500,000.
Initially, Stegall was in jail on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter, but the charge was changed to murder because of her two DWI convictions in Tarrant County, police said.
One of those convictions was in Haltom City following another accident in 2008, authorities said.
Police identified the victim as Billy Stroud, 56, of Bedford. According to the Tarrant County medical examiner’s Web site, Stroud died about 2 p.m. Tuesday at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.
Police arrested Stegall at the scene of the accident Tuesday morning.
The accident was reported about 10:40 a.m. in the 5800 block of Belknap Street near Denton Highway.
The woman was driving a Nissan Maxima that rear-ended the motorcycle on Belknap Street, police said.
“They were both traveling westbound when she came up behind him and hit the motorcycle,” Haltom City police Sgt. Eric Peters said today. “She pushed the motorcycle for some distance.”
When officers arrived, Stroud was found lying in the roadway, police said.
Stegall was in her car parked on the side of the street as officers arrived, Peters said.
Tammy Sue Stegall, 50, was in the Haltom City Jail with bail set at $500,000.
Initially, Stegall was in jail on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter, but the charge was changed to murder because of her two DWI convictions in Tarrant County, police said.
One of those convictions was in Haltom City following another accident in 2008, authorities said.
Police identified the victim as Billy Stroud, 56, of Bedford. According to the Tarrant County medical examiner’s Web site, Stroud died about 2 p.m. Tuesday at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.
Police arrested Stegall at the scene of the accident Tuesday morning.
The accident was reported about 10:40 a.m. in the 5800 block of Belknap Street near Denton Highway.
The woman was driving a Nissan Maxima that rear-ended the motorcycle on Belknap Street, police said.
“They were both traveling westbound when she came up behind him and hit the motorcycle,” Haltom City police Sgt. Eric Peters said today. “She pushed the motorcycle for some distance.”
When officers arrived, Stroud was found lying in the roadway, police said.
Stegall was in her car parked on the side of the street as officers arrived, Peters said.
Woman Killed on Houston Freeway
A Houston police officer was trying to coax a distraught woman toward his patrol car this morning when she dashed into Eastex Freeway traffic and was killed, authorities said.
The incident happened around 6 a.m. on U.S. 59 just south of Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The woman, who has not been identified, was hit by a pickup and died about 6 a.m. in the 14000 block of the Eastex Freeway near Lee Road, investigators said.
Investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office said that a Houston police officer saw the woman walking in the freeway's southbound lanes and tried to coax her into his squad car. But the woman refused.
She ran across the freeway, climbed over a concrete guardrail and then crossed the HOV lanes. She was in the northbound inside lane when a white four-door pickup, possibly a Ford, hit her. The driver didn't stop.
Witnesses told investigators that they had seen her running in front of oncoming vehicles several times before she was hit.
The incident happened around 6 a.m. on U.S. 59 just south of Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The woman, who has not been identified, was hit by a pickup and died about 6 a.m. in the 14000 block of the Eastex Freeway near Lee Road, investigators said.
Investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office said that a Houston police officer saw the woman walking in the freeway's southbound lanes and tried to coax her into his squad car. But the woman refused.
She ran across the freeway, climbed over a concrete guardrail and then crossed the HOV lanes. She was in the northbound inside lane when a white four-door pickup, possibly a Ford, hit her. The driver didn't stop.
Witnesses told investigators that they had seen her running in front of oncoming vehicles several times before she was hit.
Houston Police Office Injured in Car Crash
Houston Personal Injury Lawyers
Four on-duty undercover Houston police officers got some bumps and bruises after their unmarked van was involved in crash with a pickup last night.
Investigators said the wreck occurred about 7 p.m. at Torreon and Reid.
The officers were taken to Memorial Hermann hospital with non-life threatening minor injuries.
The pickup driver and a five-year boy riding in his truck appeared unhurt and were taken to St. Luke's Hospital as precaution, police said.
Investigators said the officers were eastbound on Reid when they stopped at stop sign at Torreon.
As they pulled away from the stop sign, they collided with a Ford 150 pickup, which was traveling southbound on Torreon. The pickup driver did not have a stop sign.
Houston police are investigating the case.
Four on-duty undercover Houston police officers got some bumps and bruises after their unmarked van was involved in crash with a pickup last night.
Investigators said the wreck occurred about 7 p.m. at Torreon and Reid.
The officers were taken to Memorial Hermann hospital with non-life threatening minor injuries.
The pickup driver and a five-year boy riding in his truck appeared unhurt and were taken to St. Luke's Hospital as precaution, police said.
Investigators said the officers were eastbound on Reid when they stopped at stop sign at Torreon.
As they pulled away from the stop sign, they collided with a Ford 150 pickup, which was traveling southbound on Torreon. The pickup driver did not have a stop sign.
Houston police are investigating the case.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS -- A motorcyclist was killed Tuesday afternoon in a traffic accident on Iron Horse Boulevard, police said.
The 30-year-old Watauga man, who authorities did not identify pending notification of relatives, was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was the only one on the motorcycle at the time of the accident, police said.
The accident happened about 12:40 p.m. in the 6600 block of Iron Horse Boulevard.
An 18-wheeler was stopped at the scene, but police have not determined details of the accident.
The motorcycle and the 18-wheeler were on Iron Horse Boulevard, police said.
Police have closed the westbound lanes of Iron Horse Boulevard near Rufe Snow Drive as authorities investigated the fatal accident.
Authorities could not estimate how long the street would be closed.
The 30-year-old Watauga man, who authorities did not identify pending notification of relatives, was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was the only one on the motorcycle at the time of the accident, police said.
The accident happened about 12:40 p.m. in the 6600 block of Iron Horse Boulevard.
An 18-wheeler was stopped at the scene, but police have not determined details of the accident.
The motorcycle and the 18-wheeler were on Iron Horse Boulevard, police said.
Police have closed the westbound lanes of Iron Horse Boulevard near Rufe Snow Drive as authorities investigated the fatal accident.
Authorities could not estimate how long the street would be closed.
Haltom City Car Wreck Stops Traffic - Motorcycle Injury
HALTOM CITY -- A motorcycle and a car collision this morning has forced police to close part of Belknap Street near Denton Highway, authorities said.
The motorcyclist was seriously injured in the crash that happened about 10:40 a.m. in the 5800 block of Belknap Street, police said. The condition of the motorcyclist was not available.
The driver of the car was being treated at the scene, police said.
According to preliminary police reports, the car and motorcycle were westbound on Belknap Street when they collided.
Police said that the westbound lanes of Belknap Street near Denton Highway are expected to be closed for about an hour.
The motorcyclist was seriously injured in the crash that happened about 10:40 a.m. in the 5800 block of Belknap Street, police said. The condition of the motorcyclist was not available.
The driver of the car was being treated at the scene, police said.
According to preliminary police reports, the car and motorcycle were westbound on Belknap Street when they collided.
Police said that the westbound lanes of Belknap Street near Denton Highway are expected to be closed for about an hour.
Bull on Highway Leads to Injuries - Death to Bull
A bull got loose twice over the weekend in Southwest Fort Worth, but a collision with a small car resulted in its death, and injuries to the driver of the car, authorities said.
The crash happened shortly after midnight Monday on SW Loop 820, near the intersection with Hemphill Street, police said.
The man who drove the car was taken to a hospital, said Lara Kohl, MedStar spokeswoman. His medical condition was unavailable Monday.
The brown-and-white bull was successfully returned to its owner Saturday, said Fort Worth Police Sgt. S. Hawkins. But on Sunday, she added, it was spotted up on the loop.
"The first day it rammed a vehicle," she said. "Then here he was out there again, and this time he was on the freeway.
"He was all over the place."
People called police to report one of the longhorns had gotten loose at the Star-Telegram's south plant at the intersection of the loop and Hemphill Street.
The newspaper keeps three head of cattle at the plant, including Rusty the Longhorn, but they never got out, said Donnie LeGrand, a newspaper manager who handles Rusty.
LeGrand said a sheriff's deputy told him that the bull escaped from a flea market area east of the plant, but Sgt. Hawkins said she did not know where the bull began its frantic bolt to freedom
On Sunday, however, it was seen charging from Hemphill Street for about a mile to McCart Avenue, possibly further, and then back to Hemphill, according to police reports.
Several officers kept after the bull while others tried to keep traffic out of the area, Hawkins said.
"He wasn't cooperating," she said. "He was pretty ornery."
The animal lived for a short time after the crash, but it died at the scene. The owner was located again; a wrecker crew loaded it into the owner's truck, Hawkins said
Police did not give the owner a citation, Hawkins said.
"That's going to be a civil (court) issue between the owner and the man who was injured," Hawkins said.
The crash happened shortly after midnight Monday on SW Loop 820, near the intersection with Hemphill Street, police said.
The man who drove the car was taken to a hospital, said Lara Kohl, MedStar spokeswoman. His medical condition was unavailable Monday.
The brown-and-white bull was successfully returned to its owner Saturday, said Fort Worth Police Sgt. S. Hawkins. But on Sunday, she added, it was spotted up on the loop.
"The first day it rammed a vehicle," she said. "Then here he was out there again, and this time he was on the freeway.
"He was all over the place."
People called police to report one of the longhorns had gotten loose at the Star-Telegram's south plant at the intersection of the loop and Hemphill Street.
The newspaper keeps three head of cattle at the plant, including Rusty the Longhorn, but they never got out, said Donnie LeGrand, a newspaper manager who handles Rusty.
LeGrand said a sheriff's deputy told him that the bull escaped from a flea market area east of the plant, but Sgt. Hawkins said she did not know where the bull began its frantic bolt to freedom
On Sunday, however, it was seen charging from Hemphill Street for about a mile to McCart Avenue, possibly further, and then back to Hemphill, according to police reports.
Several officers kept after the bull while others tried to keep traffic out of the area, Hawkins said.
"He wasn't cooperating," she said. "He was pretty ornery."
The animal lived for a short time after the crash, but it died at the scene. The owner was located again; a wrecker crew loaded it into the owner's truck, Hawkins said
Police did not give the owner a citation, Hawkins said.
"That's going to be a civil (court) issue between the owner and the man who was injured," Hawkins said.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Deadly Car Wreck in Austin
Authorities have identified one of the men who was killed in a wreck underneath the Colorado River Bridge off of Texas 71 about 12:30 a.m. Saturday near Smithville.
Jose Sanchez, 17, a day laborer from Austin, was one of two people killed in the one-vehicle wreck, officials said today.
Authorities have not notified the family of the other person who died in the wreck, and have not released his identification.
Four other people were injured when the Chevy Tahoe they were riding in rolled over, went airborne and ejected them from the vehicle.
The four men injured are: Rodolfo Ramirez, 21, who was driving was taken to Smithville Regional Hospital; Carlos Flores, 25, also taken to Smithville Regional Hospital; Noel Perez, 18, who was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge with critical injuries and Jose Balleza, 29, was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge with serious injuries.
Officials said all six men were day laborers from Austin.
DPS trooper Darryl Tidwell said the 2001 Tahoe was traveling west on 71 and drifted into a ditch. Then, he said, the car went airborne, rolled several times and struck several trees before it came to rest.
Jose Sanchez, 17, a day laborer from Austin, was one of two people killed in the one-vehicle wreck, officials said today.
Authorities have not notified the family of the other person who died in the wreck, and have not released his identification.
Four other people were injured when the Chevy Tahoe they were riding in rolled over, went airborne and ejected them from the vehicle.
The four men injured are: Rodolfo Ramirez, 21, who was driving was taken to Smithville Regional Hospital; Carlos Flores, 25, also taken to Smithville Regional Hospital; Noel Perez, 18, who was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge with critical injuries and Jose Balleza, 29, was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge with serious injuries.
Officials said all six men were day laborers from Austin.
DPS trooper Darryl Tidwell said the 2001 Tahoe was traveling west on 71 and drifted into a ditch. Then, he said, the car went airborne, rolled several times and struck several trees before it came to rest.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Parker County 12 year old Killed during Pool Construction
Parker County Sheriff’s investigators are investigating the death of a 12-year-old boy on Friday afternoon, July 24.
Sheriff Larry Fowler said the incident occurred in the 100 block of Coronado Bend in Azle shortly after 1 p.m. in Covered Bridge Estates.
The victim was reportedly playing with his 8-year-old brother on a construction site, where an American Gunite Co. crew was installing an in-ground residential pool.
Sheriff’s investigators interviewed the 8-year-old, who told them he climbed into the bed of the truck to play in the sand and the victim climbed in after him. He said they had been playing for a few minutes before the victim was buried under the sand.
Workers said they noticed the hose used to pump the sand mixture to the site had clogged and shut the mixer off before they went to investigate. One worker found the 8-year-old buried to his waist in the bed of the truck and asked what he was doing and where his brother was at. The boy pointed to the back of the truck where his brother was.
Workers said they immediately grabbed shovels to dig the boys out and called 9-1-1. They performed CPR on the victim until paramedics arrived on scene. The siblings were taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth by ground ambulance. The 12-year old was later pronounced dead. The 8-year-old suffered a broken leg.
Sheriff Larry Fowler said the incident occurred in the 100 block of Coronado Bend in Azle shortly after 1 p.m. in Covered Bridge Estates.
The victim was reportedly playing with his 8-year-old brother on a construction site, where an American Gunite Co. crew was installing an in-ground residential pool.
Sheriff’s investigators interviewed the 8-year-old, who told them he climbed into the bed of the truck to play in the sand and the victim climbed in after him. He said they had been playing for a few minutes before the victim was buried under the sand.
Workers said they noticed the hose used to pump the sand mixture to the site had clogged and shut the mixer off before they went to investigate. One worker found the 8-year-old buried to his waist in the bed of the truck and asked what he was doing and where his brother was at. The boy pointed to the back of the truck where his brother was.
Workers said they immediately grabbed shovels to dig the boys out and called 9-1-1. They performed CPR on the victim until paramedics arrived on scene. The siblings were taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth by ground ambulance. The 12-year old was later pronounced dead. The 8-year-old suffered a broken leg.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Graduate from Fire Academy Killed
Death in Comanche County
Kyle Christopher Hall, 22, of Fort Worth, was killed in a boating accident on Lake Proctor Saturday.
Christopher drowned after he fell out of a boat and was hit by a wake board pulled by the boat, according to a report from the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office.
De Leon and Promontory Fire Departments, along with Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens and sheriff’s deputies searched for Hall until 11 p.m. Saturday.
At approximately 9 a.m. Sunday morning, game wardens assisted by sonar technology located Hall’s body, according to an official report.
Hall’s funeral is scheduled to take place at First Baptist Church Benbrook at 2 p.m. today.
Hall was reportedly friends with Joseph Shane Richardson’s. Richardson, 19, of Weatherford, was killed in a boating accident while knee boarding near Tin Top in June 2006.
Hall and Richardson both attended the Weatherford College Regional Fire Academy.
Richardson Graduated in 2006 and Hall graduated a year later in the same class with Richardson’s bother.
Steve Malley, WC Fire Science Program director, helped train all three.
On Tuesday, he described the deaths as “unbelievably tragic.”
Kyle Christopher Hall, 22, of Fort Worth, was killed in a boating accident on Lake Proctor Saturday.
Christopher drowned after he fell out of a boat and was hit by a wake board pulled by the boat, according to a report from the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office.
De Leon and Promontory Fire Departments, along with Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens and sheriff’s deputies searched for Hall until 11 p.m. Saturday.
At approximately 9 a.m. Sunday morning, game wardens assisted by sonar technology located Hall’s body, according to an official report.
Hall’s funeral is scheduled to take place at First Baptist Church Benbrook at 2 p.m. today.
Hall was reportedly friends with Joseph Shane Richardson’s. Richardson, 19, of Weatherford, was killed in a boating accident while knee boarding near Tin Top in June 2006.
Hall and Richardson both attended the Weatherford College Regional Fire Academy.
Richardson Graduated in 2006 and Hall graduated a year later in the same class with Richardson’s bother.
Steve Malley, WC Fire Science Program director, helped train all three.
On Tuesday, he described the deaths as “unbelievably tragic.”
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Car Crash Wreck Collision Closes Road
Car Wreck
People are evacuated and traffic is at a standstill after a Spring Volunteer Fire Department truck and van collided in far northwest Harris County this afternoon, sending three people to the hospital.
The wreck occurred about 12:30 p.m. in the 3600 block of FM 2920, said Chief Mark Herman of Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.
The van's driver is trapped inside his cab and workers are trying to get him out.
The fire truck, which was headed eastbound on FM 2920 in response to a motorcycle wreck, overturned.
No information was immediately available about possible injuries, Herman said. Two firefighters and the van's driver were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Deputies have closed FM 2920 in both directions near the crash site as workers clear the area.
An unknown substance spilled from the van in the crash and crews were cleaning it up.
People in the immediate area were evacuated as a precaution because of possible danger from the chemical.
The pumper truck was on an emergency call with its siren blaring and lights flashing when the crash happened, Herman said. He said he doesn't what caused the wreck or where or why the firefighters had been dispatched.
People are evacuated and traffic is at a standstill after a Spring Volunteer Fire Department truck and van collided in far northwest Harris County this afternoon, sending three people to the hospital.
The wreck occurred about 12:30 p.m. in the 3600 block of FM 2920, said Chief Mark Herman of Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.
The van's driver is trapped inside his cab and workers are trying to get him out.
The fire truck, which was headed eastbound on FM 2920 in response to a motorcycle wreck, overturned.
No information was immediately available about possible injuries, Herman said. Two firefighters and the van's driver were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Deputies have closed FM 2920 in both directions near the crash site as workers clear the area.
An unknown substance spilled from the van in the crash and crews were cleaning it up.
People in the immediate area were evacuated as a precaution because of possible danger from the chemical.
The pumper truck was on an emergency call with its siren blaring and lights flashing when the crash happened, Herman said. He said he doesn't what caused the wreck or where or why the firefighters had been dispatched.
Motorcycle Accident Wrongfuld Death Personal Injury
Two men riding a motorcycle have been killed in a crash in the Montrose area.
The wreck occurred in the 500 block of Fairview about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, police said. The Harris County Medical Examiner's had not positively identified the men by this afternoon.
One of the victims, 45, was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The other man was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center, where he also was pronounced dead.
Investigators said witnesses told them that the two men were riding a blue and gray Suzuki motorcycle eastbound on Fairview at a high rate of speed.
The driver swerved to avoid a red 2001 Dodge pickup that was traveling westbound on Fairview and that turned into a parking lot.
The motorcyclist lost control and slammed into the pavement. Both men were thrown from the motorcycle.
No other injuries were reported.
Houston police are investigating the case.
The wreck occurred in the 500 block of Fairview about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, police said. The Harris County Medical Examiner's had not positively identified the men by this afternoon.
One of the victims, 45, was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The other man was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center, where he also was pronounced dead.
Investigators said witnesses told them that the two men were riding a blue and gray Suzuki motorcycle eastbound on Fairview at a high rate of speed.
The driver swerved to avoid a red 2001 Dodge pickup that was traveling westbound on Fairview and that turned into a parking lot.
The motorcyclist lost control and slammed into the pavement. Both men were thrown from the motorcycle.
No other injuries were reported.
Houston police are investigating the case.
Metal Plate Kills Man Euless Death
EULESS -- An Arlington man was killed Tuesday night when a heavy steel plate that he was cleaning fell on him at a manufacturing plant, police said Wednesday.
No other injuries were reported.
Royce Bunkley, 53, was pronounced dead Tuesday night at Camtech Precision Manufacturing in the 1400 block of Westpark Way, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office. Bunkley died shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday.
According to police reports, Bunkley was underneath the suspended 5,000-pound steel plate, cleaning it. At some point, the 13-foot long and 8-foot-wide plate fell on him, police said Wednesday.
Police had not determined what caused the plate to drop.
OSHA officials were scheduled to be on the scene today to investigate the accident, police said.
The Euless company was cited in 2007 for four safety violations, one of them classified as serious. The issues were resolved later that year, according to records of the Occupational and Safety Health Administration.
The Euless plant makes aircraft engines and engine parts, records show.
No other injuries were reported.
Royce Bunkley, 53, was pronounced dead Tuesday night at Camtech Precision Manufacturing in the 1400 block of Westpark Way, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office. Bunkley died shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday.
According to police reports, Bunkley was underneath the suspended 5,000-pound steel plate, cleaning it. At some point, the 13-foot long and 8-foot-wide plate fell on him, police said Wednesday.
Police had not determined what caused the plate to drop.
OSHA officials were scheduled to be on the scene today to investigate the accident, police said.
The Euless company was cited in 2007 for four safety violations, one of them classified as serious. The issues were resolved later that year, according to records of the Occupational and Safety Health Administration.
The Euless plant makes aircraft engines and engine parts, records show.
Man Dies in Fall from Freeway
FORT WORTH — A 32-year-old man who had been reported missing to Hurst police Monday died early this morning after falling from a Fort Worth bridge onto a freeway ramp below, police officials said.
Police are investigating the death as a possible suicide but are awaiting a ruling by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office.
Sgt. Pedro Criado, police spokesman, said officers were called to the freeway ramp that leads from northbound I-35W to eastbound I-30 shortly after 1 a.m.. A motorist told police that he had witnessed the man in mid-fall and that he and several other motorists had to swerve to avoid hitting the man’s body.
Sgt. Craig Teague said a relative had reported the man missing Monday night after he failed to return home.
Police are investigating the death as a possible suicide but are awaiting a ruling by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office.
Sgt. Pedro Criado, police spokesman, said officers were called to the freeway ramp that leads from northbound I-35W to eastbound I-30 shortly after 1 a.m.. A motorist told police that he had witnessed the man in mid-fall and that he and several other motorists had to swerve to avoid hitting the man’s body.
Sgt. Craig Teague said a relative had reported the man missing Monday night after he failed to return home.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Driver Inattention Cause of Deadly Gainesville, I35, Crashes
Stephens, Anderson & Cummings, LLP
Thousands of vehicles are driven along Interstate 35 south of Gainesville, and the majority of their drivers heed several signs warning of a temporary construction zone at a bridge spanning Elm Creek, officials said.
But that didn't happen twice within the past 30 days, and both times, people died.
The most recent fatal wreck was around noon Monday about two miles southwest of Gainesville, when a tractor-trailer driven by James Crayton, 59, of Dallas hit the rear car in a northbound traffic jam, officials said.
The fiery crash killed Anthony and Kimberly Brandon of Bedford and Darryl Hoosier, 55, of Lafayette, La.
The tractor-trailer was operated by Bradco Supply, a building material distribution company with offices throughout the country. An official with the company’s Irving office referred all questions to their corporate headquarters in New Jersey. A message left there late in the afternoon on Tuesday was not returned.
A similar wreck happened July 5 about six miles south of Gainesville, when a tractor-trailer driven by Randy Crume of Harrah, Okla., came upon the slowed traffic and slammed into a sports utility vehicle. Fatally injured were Gervious Hinkle and his 13-year-old grandson, Casey.
But although both wrecks involved big rigs, the trucking industry was not the problem, said Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Tackett, who responded to both emergencies.
"We probably have had tens of thousands of trucks go through there during a period of bad construction and there has been only two wrecks," Tackett said. "It's not the commercial traffic.
"It's the individual driver."
Investigations continued Tuesday in both wrecks, and neither truck driver had yet to be charged, Tackett said.
Investigators, he said, first must examine a wide range of issues, including mechanical workings on the trucks, toxicology reports on the drivers and how long they had been on the road before the wrecks.
The construction project, which began May 26, is repairing a 70-year-old bridge over Elm Creek, said Adele Lewis, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Transportation in Wichita Falls.
But highway officials saw early in the project that more was needed to ease highway congestion leading to the bridge project.
To that end, TxDOT parked portable electronic signs mounted on trailers to warn motorists about the construction ahead.
The first portable electronic sign is at Mile Marker 488, about seven miles south of Gainesville, and just north of the community of Valley View, Tackett said.
After that there are similar signs spaced about a mile apart at Mile Markers 490, 491, 493 and 495.
Also, there are two electronic signs at Mile Marker 494; one is portable and the other is a large permanent electronic sign that reports various information, including the Amber Alerts, Tackett said.
He said traffic is narrowed down to one lane for about a mile, starting 3/4 of mile before the bridge construction at Elm Creek.
It continues across the bridge, which is about a quarter mile long and then opens back up to two lanes on the north side of the bridge, he said.
At Mile Marker 495, there is a digital sign that reports radar-detected speed of oncoming traffic. There are also fixed non-electronic construction signs, Tackett said.
"If they're driving a tractor-trailer, as soon as they see that first sign they need to be slowing down," Tackett said. "Most do exactly what they're supposed to do.
"It's not motorists being caught off guard by this. It's one guy, every time, not paying attention and slamming into everybody else."
Neighbors of the Brandons remained stunned Tuesday in the couple’s Bedford neighborhood.
“I’m still upset,” neighbor Helen Smith said Tuesday who has known the couple for several years. “We’ll probably just go to their church.”
Anthony, 48, and Kimberly, 47, had three daughters and the family was members of Harwood Terrace Baptist Church in Bedford. Church officials did not return telephone calls Tuesday.
One of the daughters, Alicia Brandon, just graduated from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst just a few weeks ago, a school district official said Tuesday.
Also hurt in the wreck Monday was Carol Whaley, 63, of Yalaha, Fla., who was transported by helicopter ambulance to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. His wife, Linda Whaley, 61, was taken to North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville. The couple was treated and released shortly after the accident, officials said.
The contractor on the $200,000 project, KKM Construction of Texarkana, Ark., missed its 45-day deadline on Monday, Lewis said. She added that the work is 50 percent complete but the company has said the work will be finished by the end of August.
Nevertheless, TxDOT is preparing to charge "liquidated damages," in which the department starts to dock the contractor for its contracted compensation, Lewis said.
Thousands of vehicles are driven along Interstate 35 south of Gainesville, and the majority of their drivers heed several signs warning of a temporary construction zone at a bridge spanning Elm Creek, officials said.
But that didn't happen twice within the past 30 days, and both times, people died.
The most recent fatal wreck was around noon Monday about two miles southwest of Gainesville, when a tractor-trailer driven by James Crayton, 59, of Dallas hit the rear car in a northbound traffic jam, officials said.
The fiery crash killed Anthony and Kimberly Brandon of Bedford and Darryl Hoosier, 55, of Lafayette, La.
The tractor-trailer was operated by Bradco Supply, a building material distribution company with offices throughout the country. An official with the company’s Irving office referred all questions to their corporate headquarters in New Jersey. A message left there late in the afternoon on Tuesday was not returned.
A similar wreck happened July 5 about six miles south of Gainesville, when a tractor-trailer driven by Randy Crume of Harrah, Okla., came upon the slowed traffic and slammed into a sports utility vehicle. Fatally injured were Gervious Hinkle and his 13-year-old grandson, Casey.
But although both wrecks involved big rigs, the trucking industry was not the problem, said Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Tackett, who responded to both emergencies.
"We probably have had tens of thousands of trucks go through there during a period of bad construction and there has been only two wrecks," Tackett said. "It's not the commercial traffic.
"It's the individual driver."
Investigations continued Tuesday in both wrecks, and neither truck driver had yet to be charged, Tackett said.
Investigators, he said, first must examine a wide range of issues, including mechanical workings on the trucks, toxicology reports on the drivers and how long they had been on the road before the wrecks.
The construction project, which began May 26, is repairing a 70-year-old bridge over Elm Creek, said Adele Lewis, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Transportation in Wichita Falls.
But highway officials saw early in the project that more was needed to ease highway congestion leading to the bridge project.
To that end, TxDOT parked portable electronic signs mounted on trailers to warn motorists about the construction ahead.
The first portable electronic sign is at Mile Marker 488, about seven miles south of Gainesville, and just north of the community of Valley View, Tackett said.
After that there are similar signs spaced about a mile apart at Mile Markers 490, 491, 493 and 495.
Also, there are two electronic signs at Mile Marker 494; one is portable and the other is a large permanent electronic sign that reports various information, including the Amber Alerts, Tackett said.
He said traffic is narrowed down to one lane for about a mile, starting 3/4 of mile before the bridge construction at Elm Creek.
It continues across the bridge, which is about a quarter mile long and then opens back up to two lanes on the north side of the bridge, he said.
At Mile Marker 495, there is a digital sign that reports radar-detected speed of oncoming traffic. There are also fixed non-electronic construction signs, Tackett said.
"If they're driving a tractor-trailer, as soon as they see that first sign they need to be slowing down," Tackett said. "Most do exactly what they're supposed to do.
"It's not motorists being caught off guard by this. It's one guy, every time, not paying attention and slamming into everybody else."
Neighbors of the Brandons remained stunned Tuesday in the couple’s Bedford neighborhood.
“I’m still upset,” neighbor Helen Smith said Tuesday who has known the couple for several years. “We’ll probably just go to their church.”
Anthony, 48, and Kimberly, 47, had three daughters and the family was members of Harwood Terrace Baptist Church in Bedford. Church officials did not return telephone calls Tuesday.
One of the daughters, Alicia Brandon, just graduated from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst just a few weeks ago, a school district official said Tuesday.
Also hurt in the wreck Monday was Carol Whaley, 63, of Yalaha, Fla., who was transported by helicopter ambulance to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. His wife, Linda Whaley, 61, was taken to North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville. The couple was treated and released shortly after the accident, officials said.
The contractor on the $200,000 project, KKM Construction of Texarkana, Ark., missed its 45-day deadline on Monday, Lewis said. She added that the work is 50 percent complete but the company has said the work will be finished by the end of August.
Nevertheless, TxDOT is preparing to charge "liquidated damages," in which the department starts to dock the contractor for its contracted compensation, Lewis said.
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