Archive for October, 2012

Wilson Avelar charged after 2 killed in car accident and fire on FM 2978 near Tomball

Two people were killed in a car accident and vehicle fire early Tuesday morning on FM 2978 about five miles outside Tomball in southwest Montgomery County. A pickup truck and flatbed truck collided near a curve in the roadway: state troopers say two people riding in the flatbed truck died. The driver of the flatbed truck, 31-year old Wilson Avelar, is in the process of being charged with two counts of negligent homicide according to DPS Trooper Erik Burse. According to Channel 11’s story, the accident happened because the flatbed truck, which was pulling a trailer, was trying to avoid a pickup truck that was waiting to make a left turn, but the flatbed’s brakes locked and the driver swerved, clipping one truck before hitting a Ford F-150 pickup head-on. The flatbed then burst into flames, killing two inside.
According to Section 6.03(d) of the Texas Penal Code, a person acts with “criminal negligence” when, with respect to circumstances surrounding his conduct or the result of his conduct, he ought to be aware of the substantial and unjustified risk that the circumstances exist or the result will occur. The risk must of such a nature and degree that the failure to perceive it constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that an ordinary person would exercise under all the circumstances as viewed from the actor’s standpoint.

Driver high on PCP kills two in accident at Kirby Drive Shell station

Early this morning a man and woman were killed in an accident shortly after making some purchases at a Shell gas station on Kirby Drive near the Southwest Freeway, and police believe the driver responsible was high on Phencyclidine (PCP) at the time. The man and woman were in a blue-colored Chevrolet Impala and were stopped waiting to leave the gas station parking lot to turn right on the service road when the driver’s side of their vehicle was hit by the suspect traveling at a high rate of speed. The suspect’s vehicle appears to be an Impala also, only black. The victims were killed instantly. Police say the driver who caused the accident seemed to have little comprehension of what happened: he was taken to Ben Taub to be checked out and will face two counts of intoxication manslaughter. Channel 2 coverage. Channel 13 coverage. Channel 11 coverage.

Photo credit: KHOU

The victims were leaving this Shell station at Kirby Drive and 59

Two killed in drunk driving accident on Highway 290 at 34 Street

Two people are dead and a man is charged with intoxication manslaughter after a crash on Highway 290 near 34 Street at 2:00 a.m. Saturday October 13th. Two drivers were involved in a fender bender accident when a Ford Explorer rear-ended a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. The driver of the Silverado and a 64-year old passenger exited the truck to exchange information with the driver of the Explorer. Investigators say that at some point the driver of the Silverado suspected the Explorer driver may have been drunk. The driver of the Silverado went back to his truck to call the police leaving the Explorer driver and his passenger when a Lincoln Navigator SUV slammed into the stopped Explorer and Silverado, killing the passenger from the Silverado and the driver of the Explorer. The driver of the Navigator was taken into custody by police. Channel 2’s story is here.

Accident on Airline Drive near West Hambrick kills two

Two were killed and three injured in a chain reaction wreck around 8:00 p.m. last night in the 10600 block of Airline Drive near West Hambrick Road. According to deputies a female pedestrian was fatally struck as she walked down the street. The driver of a pickup truck swerved to avoid a second pedestrian, causing the truck to collide head-on with another truck heading south on Airline. A female passenger in the southbound vehicle was killed in the collision. According to Channel 11’s video report, a body was lodged in the windshield of one of the vehicles. Channel 2’s coverage of the accident. Channel 11’s report. Channel 13’s accident report. Houston Chronicle’s story.

Vehicle involved in last night's double fatality crash

Victim's friend Jordan Lewis is interviewed by Channel 11 News

Samantha Dorsey: victim of road rage car accident that started in Wal-Mart parking lot

There was a fatal car accident yesterday on Westheimer at Stoney Brook Drive and police think the crash may have been the result of road rage. The accident happened at around 7:00 a.m. Thursday October 11th. A black-colored Acura coupe crashed into a pole causing a passenger, Samantha Dorsey, to be ejected. Witnesses told reporters for KHOU Channel 11 News that the driver and passengers in the Acura got into an argument with the driver and passengers of a yellow or gold-colored Ford Mustang after one party dinged the other party’s car door. The occupants of the Acura left the Wal-Mart parking lot and the Mustang followed, at some point swerving toward the Acura and throwing bottles at it. Houston homicide detectives are looking for the driver of the Mustang: a witness attempted CPR on Ms. Dorsey, the ejected passenger, but she died at the hospital. Channel 2’s report is here. Channel 13’s story here.

Photo credit: KHOU

Photo credit: KHOU

Samantha Dorsey. Photo credit: Facebook

Accident on W. 43rd splits car in two killing teen driver

An accident early this morning on West 43rd at De Milo Drive in Houston has claimed the life of an 18-year old driver, reportedly a student at Waltrip High School. Police say the driver and a co-worker had just left their shift at a hamburger restaurant and had pulled up together at a red light. The teen involved in the wreck accelerated hard when the light turn green: his co-worker lost sight of him only to come upon the smoke and debris of the wreck moments later. Houston Police Department say alcohol was not a factor in the accident, only excessive speed. The teen’s vehicle hit a tree with enough force to shear the Mazda 4-door car into two pieces.

Highway 290 three car accident leads to arrest of driver’s boyfriend

A man was arrested for DWI last night after a three vehicle accident that he was not involved in. Around 10:45 p.m. Sunday on Highway 290 at N. Gessner a woman driving a sedan wasn’t paying attention when she crashed into the back of a car, pushing that car into a vehicle in front of it. Police say the woman’s boyfriend was following in a separate vehicle and he stopped after the accident. Police determined he was drunk and arrested him on suspicion of DWI. All main lanes of Highway 290 were closed for about 20 minutes as crews cleaned up the wreck. Channel 11’s story is here.

Fatal motorcycle accident on I-45 when passenger falls off

Northbound lanes of Interstate 45 were shut down last night after a fatal motorcycle accident in Conroe, Texas. A woman was riding on the back of a motorcycle when the bike hit a median throwing the woman off. She was then struck and killed by another three-wheeled motorcycle/trike. The man who had been driving the motorcycle with the woman on the back then fled the scene of the accident, and police are trying to locate him. Channel 2’s report.

Tomas Ortiz, Jr. charged with intoxication manslaughter in high speed crash

Sadly Harris County has lost yet another member of our community to a drunk driving accident.

According to various media reports, 21-year old Tomas Ortiz, Jr. has admitted to speeding in excess of 100 miles-per-hour immediately before rear-ending a pickup truck on Clinton Drive at Crown Street in Galena Park at about 10:00 p.m. last night.  Sergeant S. Wolverton with Harris County Sheriff’s Department told Channel 2 reporters that Ortiz reached about 110 MPH when he began to lose control of his vehicle. Ortiz claims he eased off the accelerator at that time and may have slowed to around 75 to 80 MPH when he hit the pickup truck.

When Ortiz’ white Dodge Challenger rear-ended the pickup, the pickup’s driver Elias Hernandez lost control, hit a concrete barrier and went into a creek.  Five people were in the pickup truck at the time of the accident: Elias’ 57-year old wife Laura was killed in the accident.  Two other adults and a 1-year old child were sent to LBJ Hospital in serious but stable condition.  A passenger in Ortiz’ Dodge Challenger suffered minor injuries and was treated and released.

Tomas Ortiz, Jr. was arrested and has been charged with intoxication manslaughter. Channel 2’s report is hereChannel 13’s report is hereChannel 11’s report is here.

Tomas Ortiz, Jr.'s wrecked Dodge Challenger

Elias' Hernandez' pickup truck

Good Samaritan changing tire struck and killed on 610 South Loop

A good deed turned tragic late last night on Houston’s South 610 Loop. A man stopped to help two other motorists involved in a minor accident was killed when a second crash happened. The two vehicles involved in the first accident came to a stop in travel lanes, HPD say, when a passing driver stopped and exited his vehicle to see if anyone needed assistance. An approaching car then rear-ended the Good Samaritan’s sedan, and the man tried to run across the freeway to avoid being struck. A passing SUV was unable to avoid the man and struck him. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead. A total of five vehicles were involved in the accident which happened near Stella Link. Channel 11’s story. Channel 13’s story.

Photo credit: KHOU

Photo credit: KHOU

Photo credit: KHOU