Female pedestrian killed on FM 1097 East in Willis, Texas

A female pedestrian was killed after she was hit by a pickup truck early this morning as she walked on the improved shoulder of FM 1097 East in Willis, Texas. According to the Montgomery County Police Reporter, when EMS arrived on the scene the woman was deceased in the American Legion parking lot, having been thrown just over 100 feet in the collision.  The white-colored Chevrolet 2500 utility truck that struck the woman was driven by 30-year old Jeffery Atkinson from Willis. The police reporter article states Atkinson said he did not see the woman prior to striking her.  A field sobriety test and breath-alcohol test both indicated that alcohol was not a factor in the accident.  The name of the woman who died in the accident has not yet been released, pending notification of her family members.  The pickup truck showed a significant amount of damage to the passenger side front.

Mark Cordero reportedly killed in motorcycle accident in Willis TX

Local media is reporting that Mark Cordero was killed yesterday evening in a collision between his motorcycle and a car delivering pizza. Channel 13 states that Mark Cordero and his passenger Patricia Buscemi were heading westbound on FM 1097 near Willis, Texas when the pizza delivery car turned in front of their motorbike. The motorcycle struck the car, throwing Mr. Cordero from the motorbike. Ms. Buscemi was taken to the hospital in critical condition. It appears this accident happened at night: frequently motorcycle accidents such as this are the result of drivers of four-wheeled vehicles only half paying attention and not seeing the single headlight of a motorcycle approaching. While motorcyclists are often blamed for collisions, statistically it is actually more likely the larger vehicle is to blame. How awful for Mr. Cordero’s family and friends; hopefully Ms. Buscemi’s condition will improve.
If a fund is set up to help pay for costs, please email us the information so we can include it here.

Women hospitalized after dog attack at Covered Bridge Condominiums

Two women were hospitalized after a dog attack by this morning at the Covered Bridge Condominium Complex at 5005 Georgi Lane in HoustonAccording to a Channel 2 News report, Sonny Pena’s two-year old Boxer named Rocky attacked the two women just before 7:00 a.m., inflicting serious injury, primarily to the women’s legs. A Houston firefighter who arrived to help was then bitten by another of Pena’s dogs, a 3-year old Lab named Apollo. Both dogs are now being held under a 10-day quarantine by BARC – Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care. The dogs will not necessarily be automatically euthanized: if a Justice of the Peace determines they are dangerous dogs, Pena may have to pay an annual special registration fee and carry liability insurance. Pena reportedly told Channel 2 that he was surprised by the attacks since the dogs had never showed signs of aggression before.

Assuming Pena is a resident of the condo complex and has homeowner’s insurance, the women would probably be able to make an insurance claim to compensate them for medical expenses, any scarring and physical impairment resulting from the dog attack (though of course, whether the insurer would pay is another matter).

Jennifer Lopez Harden charged with intoxication manslaughter after motorcycle accident

35-year old Jennifer Lopez Harden from Spring, Texas has been charged with intoxication manslaughter in connection with a deadly motorcycle accident Sunday morning. Lopez Harden was taken into custody after the 3:00 a.m. crash on Birnham Wood Boulevard near Riley Fuzzel Road in Spring. She is accused of driving drunk when she swerved into a center lane, crashing head on into a motorcycle driven by 42-year old John McSwain, also of Spring. Mr. McSwain was reportedly thrown 100 feet in the impact, and he died at the scene. Harden and her passenger were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

A person named Jennifer Lopez Harden with a date of birth of May 8, 1978 was arrested just a few months ago by Houston Police Department on 12/18/2012 and charged with public intoxication, according to this web site.

Accident this morning at 610 and Ella Boulevard

A car accident at around 9:10 a.m. this morning outside Smith & Hassler’s office on the 610 North Loop at Ella Boulevard is already causing a significant backup of the westbound lanes.  A full size pickup truck and a smaller sedan, possibly a Nissan Sentra or Nissan Altima were involved. The pickup truck appeared to sustain minimal damage and after a fairly brief conversation between the drivers, the pickup truck drove away. The wrecked car is currently blocking the two far right lanes.

 

Corolla driver dies after losing control, hitting SUV on Tidwell Road

A crash around 8:00 p.m. last night at Tidwell Road and Balsam Lane in Houston has left one driver dead and sent another to the hospital. Reports cited by Channel 2 say that a man driving a Toyota Corolla was speeding eastbound on Tidwell when he lost control of the car , causing him to hit a curb and over-correct into oncoming traffic, when the front of a GMC Envoy collided with the driver’s side of the Corolla. The Corolla driver was killed in the crash and the driver of the Envoy was taken by ground ambulance to hospital.

Two taken by life flight following car accident on Briar Forest Drive

Channel 2 News reports that two people were taken from the scene of a serious car accident by life flight last night. The crash between a smaller white-colored car and a truck happened around 1:15 a.m. at Briar Forest Drive near Crystal Hills Drive. It is unclear who was at fault, particularly because Channel 2’s article says that the truck failed to yield the right-of-way but also says the car failed to yield. Either way, it appears the truck T-boned the car on the driver’s size, causing significant damage and forcing the car up onto the median.

Honda Accord and Ford Explorer collide on FM 529, six injured

Six people were hospitalized after a Friday morning car accident on FM 529 and police think drunk driving may be to blame. Harris County Sheriff’s Office say a Ford Explorer was heading eastbound on FM 529 when the driver attempted a left turn onto Ridgeberry; the Explorer got in front of a Honda Accord heading westbound and the Accord T-Boned the Explorer. There were three people in each vehicle and all of them were injured; a passenger in the Honda and a passenger in the Explorer were taken by helicopter to Memorial Hermann. HCSO Deputy Wilkie told Channel 11 News that both of the drivers involved admitted to drinking, to they were investigating the possibility of one of them being intoxicated.

Driver killed in 18 wheeler accident on Houston’s North Loop

Local media outlets are reporting a person was killed in a rear end accident involving a white van and an 18 wheeler on the North Loop near Jensen Thursday afternoon. At around 3:30 p.m. the van hit the rear of an 18 wheeler in the eastbound lanes. The van, apparently a commercial vehicle, sustained massive front end damage in the crash. Lanes were closed for several hours as Houston police investigated the cause of the accident. Two media outlets, the Chronicle and Channel 13, report that a person was injured rather than this being a fatality.

18 wheeler hits METRO bus on South 610 Loop at Scott Street

Six people were taken to the hospital this morning when they were injured in a collision between a METRO bus and an 18 wheeler. The accident happened on the South 610 Loop frontage road at Scott Street at about 9:30 a.m. The driver of the big rig, the driver of the METRO bus and four bus passengers were injured. According to Channel 11, Houston police later said the driver of the 18-wheeler would be given a citation for running a red light and causing the accident. The 18-wheeler was hauling a load of pipe; the bus sustained damage down most of its passenger side.