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.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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.
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