Archive for October, 2014

HCSO deputy killed in head on car accident on East Wallisville Road

A deputy who is an 11-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and a single father to a 10-year old son was killed in a head on crash early this morning, and the driver who caused the accident may have been impaired by drugs or alcohol. The deputy was on his way to do a welfare check and was heading eastbound on East Wallisville Road in Highlands. A Ford Explorer SUV coming from the opposite direction crossed the center line and struck the deputy’s patrol car head-on, sending it spinning into a drainage ditch. Rescue crews cut the deputy from the wrecked car and he was taken by life flight helicopter to the hospital, but was pronounced dead. The woman driving the vehicle was taken by ground ambulance. The deputy’s name has not yet been released.

UPDATE: the deceased Deputy has been identified as Jesse Valdez. The driver of the Ford Explorer has been identified as Kelly Ivey you can view her Facebook page here. Apparently Ivey was paroled from prison only a few weeks ago where she was serving time for a possession of methamphetamine charge.

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Photo credit: KHOU

Houston drunk driving accident attorneys Smith & Hassler

Deputy Jesse Valdez, HCSO and Kelly Ivey

Houston drunk driving accident attorneys Smith & Hassler

Kelly Ivey apparently announcing her recent release from jail

Car accident on FM 2920 leaves two drivers in critical condition

A Toyota 4Runner SUV and a Ford Escape collided early Tuesday morning on FM 2920 and Meadow Hill. Precinct Four deputies told Channel 2 News that one of the vehicles attempted a u-turn when it was struck by the other. Both drivers were trapped in their vehicles and when freed were taken by life flight helicopter to Memorial Hermann. An injured passenger was taken by ground ambulance. Officials are investigating to see if alcohol played a role in the accident.

Houston car accident personal injury attorneys Smith & Hassler

Photo credit: Channel 2 News

18 wheeler accident on Highway 225 in Pasadena claims a life

An as-yet unnamed woman was killed today when her car was struck from behind by an 18-wheeler. The vehicles were on westbound Highway 225 near Preston when, according to media accounts, debris fell from a vehicle in front of the woman causing her to slow down. The 18-wheeler, approaching from behind, did not stop in time and drove partially over the rear of the woman’s vehicle, severely crushing it. Pasadena Police Department spokesman Vance Mitchell said the accident was under investigation and no decision has been made yet whether charges will be filed.

Houston 18 wheeler accident attorneys Smith & Hassler

The scene of today's fatal truck accident on Highway 225

Dioxin lawsuit against Waste Management, International Paper and McGinnis Industrial

In 2011 Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan sued three companies for dumping toxic paper waste into the San Jacinto River. Those companies are Waste Management, International Paper and McGinnis Industrial Maintenance Corporation. The County’s factual claim is that these companies allowed dioxin, a dangerous chemical with documented risk to human health, to leak into a river system where Harris County residents have fished and swam since the 1960s. The County is seeking $2,000,000,000 ($2 billion) in penalties because the three companies failed to disclose the waste and clean it up. Residents of The Highlands have filed a lawsuit of their own; many of these residents are represented by Smith & Hassler.

In 2008 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named the waste pits a Superfund site and took over remediation. Waste Management, International Paper and McGinnis Industrial Maintenance Corporation were ordered by the EPA to place a temporary cap over the waste pits, but the concern the Highlands residents have is that the cap could not withstand a major flood.