Amberle Woodard struck and killed by pickup truck in Lake Jackson

Witnesses say 11-year old Amberle Woodard was in a crosswalk crossing on a "walk" signal when she was struck and killed Monday by a pickup truck driven by a 63-year old man. The pickup was turning right on a green light, and police are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident, including examining the driver's cell phone records. The accident happened at the intersection of Oyster Creek Drive and Circle Way in Lake Jackson.

Amberle celebrated her 11th birthday on Sunday. She is described as an energetic, outgoing, straight A student. Friends and co-workers of Amberle's family have set up the Amberle Taylor Woodard Memorial Fund at Texas Dow Employee Credit Union to help pay for the funeral costs. The donate, call 979-297-1154, or you can deposit donations to account no. 2237094. Channel 2's story is here.

Amberle Woodard. Photo credit: Facebook

Amberle's family

Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers Help Recover Medical Expenses

The pratfall has been an element of comedy probably since around the time of the first joke. However, actually falling is no laughing matter, and if you fall because of someone’s negligence, you might want to contact a slip and fall accident lawyer. Falling can cause a host of different types of injuries, and these injuries can be quite dangerous for the elderly. Broken bones, injured spines, and head injuries are all issues that could change someone’s life. A slip and fall accident attorney will ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries, and that the people responsible are accountable for their actions. Slip and fall accident lawyers want to help you, and you might have a case that requires their assistance.

When you contact a slip and fall accident lawyer, you will want to make sure that you are dealing with a real case. Sometimes, the accident might actually be your fault, and you want to know whether you have a case before you file a claim. Consult with a slip and fall accident lawyer and go over the details of your case. The slip and fall accident lawyer is going to want to know more about the conditions surrounding the fall.

One of the things that you will want to let the slip and fall accident lawyer know is whether you had any indication of the adverse conditions that led to the fall. A slippery floor without signage in a store is a bad thing, and if that’s how you fell, your slip and fall accident lawyer may well tell you that you have a claim. Slip and fall accident lawyers want to help you receive damages that will cover your medical bills. These types of accidents can be severe, so you need to have help with your bills, which could mount even if you have insurance.

Deputy and City inspector hit by suspected drunk driver in Clear Lake

Channel 13 is reporting that a city inspector and an off-duty HCSO deputy were hospitalized after they were struck by a car at a Clear Lake construction site. The deputy and the worker were standing outside the deputies truck on Seawolf Drive near Bay Area Boulevard around 1:45 a.m. last night when a dark green Chrysler Sebring convertible crashed into the rear of a blue Dodge Ram pickup truck, pushing it into the men. While investigators were working the first accident, a second car came through the construction barriers. Drivers of both vehicles were tested for possible intoxication. According to Channel 11's report, the woman driving the Sebring has an extensive criminal record: police believe she was driving drunk. 

Damage to the alleged drunk driver's Chrysler Sebring

Damage to the off-duty deputy's Dodge Ram pickup truck

Griselda Aza, alleged drunk driver kills 2 on Highway 249 at Antoine

Two people were killed by a drunk driver in a two car accident around 2:15 a.m. on Sunday on State Highway 249 at Antoine in Houston. Griselda Aza, 33, driving a pickup truck northbound on SH 249 ran a red light at Antoine and crashed into the driver's side of a silver Honda heading westbound on Antoine. A woman driving the car (Darlene Hubbard) and a male passenger (Alphonse Jackson, Jr.) were both killed on impact. There were two Harris County Sheriff's deputies at the intersection at the time: one actually stopped to avoid being hit by the pickup. Griselda Aza was taken to Ben Taub Hospital in stable condition where a blood draw revealed a blood alcohol content of .217 according to a Channel 11 story, which would make the woman almost two and one half times the legal limit for intoxication. Aza has been charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter. Channel 2's story.

The woman driving this silver Honda and her male passenger were
killed on impact.

Alleged drunk driver Griselda Aza's wrecked pickup truck.

HPD cruiser causes wrong way accident on Fulton Street

Early this morning a Houston Police Department officer caused a wrong-way head on car accident, colliding with a pickup truck in a construction zone. The crash happened on Fulton Street at Bennington Street. HPD says a patrol unit occupied by two officers was responding to a Code 1 call and had its emergency lights on when it turned north on Fulton, not realizing the street was one-way southbound due to construction. The police car hit an oncoming pickup truck head-on, sending the pickup driver and one of the officers to hospital. Apparently the underlying matter the patrol unit was responding to was a vehicle pursuit in the nearby area. Channel 2's story is here.

Hopefully the City of Houston will take care of the truck owner's medical expenses and the damage to his vehicle. Under Texas law, units of government have immunity from being sued in most circumstances, however the Texas Tort Claims Act provides exceptions to sovereign immunity, including negligence caused by a government employee while operating a motor driven vehicle. If the government employee happens to be a police officer responding to an emergency call with lights and sirens however, the person injured in the accident caused by the police officer would have to show either that the officer did not act in conformity with an emergency action law, or was acting with conscious indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of others. (See CPRC Sec. 101.055 (2) below). That can be a difficult burden to carry for someone looking to recover their damages from an accident caused by a Texas peace officer responding to an emergency call.

Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Sec. 101.055. CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS. This chapter does not apply to a claim arising: (1) in connection with the assessment or collection of taxes by a governmental unit; (2) from the action of an employee while responding to an emergency call or reacting to an emergency situation if the action is in compliance with the laws and ordinances applicable to emergency action, or in the absence of such a law or ordinance, if the action is not taken with conscious indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of others; or (3) from the failure to provide or the method of providing police or fire protection.

Photo credit: KHOU

Photo credit: KHOU

Municipal court judge Gladys Bransford charged in hit-and-run accident

Part-time Harris County Municipal Court Judge Gladys Bransford is facing two felony charges associated with a hit-and-run accident alleged to have happened on Tuesday afternoon outside a 99 Cent Only store at 8700 South Gessner Road, Houston. Judge Bransford is charged with failure to stop and render aid and tampering with evidence, both offenses carry the possibility of jail time. The victim of the alleged hit-and-run accident was a pedestrian, Graciela Al-Muhammadawy. Graciela said she was leaving the store walking toward her car when the 2011 black Mercedes struck her while trying to pull in to a handicap parking spot. Graciela said the female driver opened the car door to ask if she was okay: when she answered "no" the driver said she would call an ambulance and her insurance company, but instead just drove away.

Graciela's left hand was visibly swollen as she talked to a reporter for Channel 11 News. She said she wanted to thank a male witness who helped her after the accident and gave a statement to the police. Graciela was able to take down the license plate of the Mercedes before the vehicle left the scene. Judge Bransford has not been formally arrested. Channel 2's report is here. Channel 13's report is here. According to the Channel 13 story, when confronted by police Judge Bransford allegedly tried to wipe a hand print from her car, which resulted in her car being impounded (and presumably the addition of the evidence tampering charge).

Hopefully police checked with the 99 Cent Only store and surrounding businesses to see if there is surveillance camera footage of what occurred. 

The 99 Cent Only store at 8700 South Gessner Road, scene of Tuesday's
alleged pedestrian hit-and-run accident.

Off duty police officer Amado Huerta killed in motorcycle accident

Amado Huerta, 44, a husband, father of five children and 16-year veteran of the Houston Police Department, died in a motorcycle accident over the weekend. Huerta was driving his Honda Goldwing motorcycle northbound on the South Freeway Sunday evening around 8:30 p.m. when a silver-colored Pontiac Grand Am made an unsafe lane change, striking the motorcycle. Huerta was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police say the driver was likely not impaired and the accident investigation is ongoing. Huerta joined HPD in 1995 and worked as a motorcycle officer in the traffic division. The Houston Chronicle's report is here.

Amado Huerta's Honda Goldwing. Photo source: Facebook.

Six hospitalized after car hits METRO bus on Westheimer

According to a Channel 11 report, a man and woman were arguing right before their car smashed into the rear of a METRO bus waiting a stop on Westheimer Road at Briarpark Drive. The crashed happened around 12:45 a.m. The man and the woman in the car were taken to the hospital, as were four passengers on the bus.

Shoplifters flee Baytown police and cause double fatality car accident

According to Baytown Police, suspected shoplifters Jennifer Rene Jenkins (35) and Shannon Joe Chauncey (43), led police on a chase Friday night that culminated in a multi-vehicle accident in which a 16-year old boy was killed.

Channel 2 reports that Jenkins stole a pillow and comforter from a Sears store in the 6900 block of Garth Road, then left the store and climbed into a pickup truck driven by Chauncey. Police then found the couple stealing from a nearby Academy sports store. Once the couple were in their pickup, the police moved in to make an arrest, however Chauncey backed up the truck and struck a police car before fleeing on Garth Road. When Jenkins and Chancey reached Garth Road and Rollingbrook Street they struck a pickup truck and also a car, killing the car's 16-year old passenger Shawn Williams and injuring the 17-year old driver, Shay Hollingshead.

Shawn's sister Tyler Williams told Channel 2 that she learned about the accident via Twitter: that there had been a collision near a 24-hour Fitness gym and that one of the vehicles had caught fire. Shawn was less than five minutes from home where the wreck happened and had just finished working a shift at El-Toro's To-Go Kitchen. One of the managers at El-Toro's, Herb Martinez, described Shawn as one of the most polite people he has ever met.

After the crash Jenkins and Chauncey jumped out of their wrecked pickup truck and tried to flee the scene, but were apprehended after a short foot chase. Shay Hollingshead was transported to Memorial Hermann via life flight helicopter in serious condition. Channel 11 report. Channel 13 report.

Shawn Williams (16), victim of Friday's
accident in Baytown.

The teenagers' Ford Focus

Shannon Chauncey's wrecked Ford pickup truck

A Chevy Silverado pickup truck that was also hit by
Chauncey's pickup as he attempted to flee Baytown P.D.

Sharon Zakkizadeh and Joseph Seymour victims of Highway 6 car accident

A car accident last night on Highway 6 in Santa Fe, Texas has claimed two lives and left another driver injured. Santa Fe Police Department say 29-year old Charles Orsak was driving westbound on Highway 6 when he rear-ended a Jeep driven by 65-year old Sharon Zakkizadeh: the Jeep rolled after the impact killing Sharon instantly. The Keep crossed into eastbound traffic and hit 58-year old Joseph Seymour's Honda. Mr. Seymour was trapped in his vehicle and died. Orsak was in stable condition at UTMB; police are investigating the cause of the collision. Channel 2's story is here. Galveston Daily News story is here. Channel 13's story.

Driver killed in Hardy Toll Road truck accident

A concrete ready-mix truck experienced a tire blow out on the Hardy Toll Road yesterday causing the truck to strike the retaining wall and roll over. The driver of the concrete truck died at the scene. After the collision the truck caught fire. All main southbound lanes of the Hardy at Aldine Mail Route were shut down.  KHOU's story. Not to say this is the cause here, but sometimes truck accidents result from negligent maintenance of the truck by the trucking company, such as failure to check brakes, tires, steering components, etc.

Photo credit: KHOU

Gordon Daniel Oehmig charged with five counts of possessing child pornography

According to a story on ABC Channel 13's web site, 29-year old Gordon Daniel Oehmig has been charged with five felony counts of possession of child pornography. The former St. Thomas High School wrestling coach bonded out at 1:00 a.m. this morning and is due back in court on Monday. Court documents say investigators found 1,500 images and 500 videos containing child pornography or with file names that indicate child pornography content. Houston Police Department were lead to Oehmig by peer-to-peer file sharing networks already flagged as possibly illegal. Oehmig has resigned his position at St. Thomas. He was named the Texas Prep Coach of the Year in May, and previously coached wrestling at Episcopal.

Update: Channel 11 published a story regarding parents' concern over Oehmig's arrest and charges and whether he may have done anything inappropriate with their children. Oehmig worked and volunteered at a number of local wrestling organizations, including Paradigm Training Center in Houston (Oehmig's bio has since been removed).

Gordon Oehmig

How to find Top Accident Lawyers in San Antonio

Auto Accidents happen often in San Antonio on a daily basis. We know this because there is plenty of statistical data backing up this claim. When you are involved in an auto accident, how do you find top lawyers to help you get the settlement that you deserve? This blog is intended to answer that question.

Before we answer that question, we have to look at some things that may contribute to the accidetnts. Why are so many people in San Antonio involved in auto accidents to begin with? Perhaps we are in a hury. Perhaps we are a growing city. Or perhaps simply we are just unlucky. In any event, if you are a victim of an automobile accident, you have the right to get a lawyer. Why, because the insurance company, whom you are filing a claim against, has its own lawyers.

This is like doing brain surgery. You would not do it yourself. Would you? Then why in the world would you do your own auto accident claim? We do not recommend that. This is when the attempt to answering the question comes in. You see TV commercials, and see bus advertisements that tells you, this lawyer is the best, no this one is.

Rather than saying that, we are going to allow clients and others to tell you about our lawyers. But first, let me say that our law firm offers a FREE Auto Accident Application, in the event that you are ever into an accident. Not many law firms can say that.

We will start by what they are saying on AVVO: This is an independent site that rates lawyers, doctors and others bases on customers reviews, peer reviews and the public in general. Our Lawyers have been deemend Top Accident Lawyers by them.

Then we will go with Super Lawyers: This is an independent site that for decades, has a tough selection process by peers and professionals that select only a few lawyes in any particular area per year. Our Lawyers were selected in the area of Personal Injury, which includes auto accidents.

We have several blogs that talk about personal injury only. In an effort to help the San Antonio community if they are ever involved in an auto accident.

We could go on and on but we are going to let you, the reader, do some due dilligence on your own. If you, or someone you know are ever involved in an accident, please contact our super layers at The Baez Law Firm.

Esther Anderson charged with 2-year old's intoxication assault after car accident

39-year old mother Esther Anderson was arrested and charged with intoxication assault yesterday after a single car accident seriously injured her 2-year old little girl, according to KHOU Channel 11. The wreck happened around 4:00 p.m. as Anderson was driving her 2004 GMC Envoy on Carriage Hills Boulevard north of The Woodlands when she lost control and struck a tree on the passenger side. Sergeant Angela Fountain with the D.P.S. said the toddler was not secured in the vehicle by a child seat, safety belt or any kind of restraint at all. In fact a witness who saw the vehicle prior to the crash said the toddler was standing up near the center console. 

DPS officers found an open can of Busch beer in the vehicle and believe it was resting between Anderson's legs at the time of the crash. Due to the child's injuries, Anderson was subject to a mandatory blood draw: she was held overnight at the hospital and will be taken to jail to face charges of injury to a child and intoxication assault. Anderson's husband showed up at the accident scene: he was questioned by deputies who determined he had an outstanding Montgomery County warrant for child abandonment: he was taken to jail. Photos taken by KHOU show a 12-pack of Busch beer in the vehicle, and also where law enforcement apparently lined up several empty beer cans on the hood of the wrecked SUV.

A story on the Montgomery County Police Reporter web site states that, according to Anderson's husband, she had left earlier than afternoon to get a birthday cake for the couple's 9-year old. No birthday cake was in the car. There are two types of personal injury cases that really get under my skin: injuries to children and drunk driving accidents. I really hope the poor little kid injured in this wreck doesn't suffer any lasting injuries. Car crashes are the number one killer of children aged 1 to 12-years old in the U.S. You can read on the NHTSA's web site how to check if your child is in the right car seat.

Esther Anderson's wrecked GMC Envoy SUV. Photo credit: KHOU

12-pack of Busch beer in the SUV. Photo credit: KHOU

Troopers line up at least 5 empty beer cans on the hood of Anderson's
wrecked SUV. Photo credit: KHOU

Esther Anderson's mug shot.

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, Texas 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.

Channel 13's story. Channel 11's story.

Theodore Hargrove charged in drugged-driving accident

Theodore Hargrove, 33, has been identified as the driver charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter in the deaths of Richey Quinton and Meagen Jones.  Richey and Meagen were waiting to turn from the parking lot of a Shell gas station at Kirby Drive and the 59 feeder early Monday morning when Hargrove, driving a black Chevy Impala, sped through a red light, entered the parking lot and smashed into the driver's side of Richey's car, also a Chevy Impala. Meagen and Richey died at the accident scene. According to a report on Channel 13's web site, Hargrove already had a court date two weeks from now for another crime he is accused of having committed: allegedly running from a METRO police officer in January. Hargrove's blood test revealed he was under the influence of Phencyclidine, otherwise known as PCP, a powerful hallucinogen. Hargrove has an extensive criminal history that started with a robbery charge at age 18, including drug charges, evading arrest with a motor vehicle and driving on a suspended license.

Intoxication Manslaughter, codified under section 49.08 of the Texas Penal Code, is defined as follows: (a) A person commits an offense if the person: (1) operates a motor vehicle in a public place, operates an aircraft, a water craft, or an amusement ride, or assembles a mobile amusement ride; and (2) is intoxicated and by reason of that intoxication causes the death of another by mistake or accident. Unless the offense is enhanced, for example by a previous conviction for driving while intoxicated, intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony. Section 12.33 of the Penal Code states that a person found guilty of a second degree felony may be punished by no less than 2 years and no more than 20 years imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Houstonians may remember the drunk driving death of HPD Officer Kevin Will, killed by drunk driver Johoan Rodriguez whose speeding Volkswagen struck Officer Will at 90 MPH as Will was standing on the North 610 Loop working an accident scene. On June 8, 2012 a Harris County jury sentenced Rodriguez to 55 years prison time (the possible maximum was 99-years), of which he will have to serve at least half before he is eligible for parole. Rodriguez' sentence was enhanced to a first degree felony because he killed a police officer. 

Richey Quinton

Meagen Jones

Theodore Hargrove

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.

Update: the male victim of this crash is Richey Quinton. An outpouring of grief and fond memories can be read on Richey's Facebook page. Richey graduated George Bush High School in Richmond, Texas in 2006.  The suspect arrested and charged with the death of Richey and his passenger is 33-year old Theodore Adolphus Hargrove of Houston. 

The victims were waiting to leave this Shell gas station at Kirby and 59
when a driver ran a red light, killing them instantly.

The suspect's black colored vehicle and the victims'
blue Chevy Impala. Photo credit: KHOU.

Photo credit: Channel 2 News.

Drunk driver kills two on Highway 290 at 34 Street

Two people are dead and a man is charged with intoxication manslaughter after a three car accident on Highway 290 near 34th 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 showed indications of drunk driving was taken into custody by police. Channel 2's story is here.

Two killed in accident on Airline Drive near West Hambrick

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.

Update: the deceased victims have been identified as Maria Granados-Villaneuva, passenger in the pickup truck, and 33-year old Shelly Smith, the pedestrian. Maria, her husband Esau and their 13-year old daughter were on their way to church when their Toyota truck was struck head-on.

Jordan Lewis, friend of one of the deceased accident victims,
is interviewed by Channel 11 News.

The vehicles involved in last night's head-on crash.

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 in Houston 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. Anyone with information on the identity of the driver of the Ford Mustang should call Houston Police Department.

Samantha Dorsey was ejected from this Acura coupe and died at the hospital
after a road rage crash on Westheimer. Photo credit: KHOU.

Photo credit: KHOU

Samantha Dorsey, victim of yesterday's crash.
Photo credit: Facebook.

Update: police have released an image from Wal-Mart's security cameras showing the suspect in Samantha Dorsey's accident (see below). He is described as approximately 25-years old, 6 feet 2 inches tall, slits shaved into his eyebrows and a New Orleans accent.

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 teens vehicle hit a tree with enough force to shear the Mazda 4-door car into two pieces.

Update: The teen driver killed in this accident has been identified as Kyle Eickenhorst. An article in the October 18, 2012 edition of The Leader community newspaper makes the case that Kyle's accident happened at a dangerous curve in 43rd Street where, according to nearby resident Dominic Abney, four major crashes have occurred. That includes a crash two years ago when a motorist crashed through the wall of Abney's home.

Photo credit: KHOU

Photo credit: KHOU

Crash victim Kyle Eickenhorst.
Photo credit: Facebook

The curve in West 43rd, east of Rosslyn, scene of Kyle Eickenhorst's fatal crash.

Bars that served Nicole Baukus sued by victim's family

The family of Travis Saunders, killed in a June 29, 2012 accident on I-45 by wrong-way drunk driver Nicole Baukus, have sued two bars in connection with Travis' death.  18-year old Travis was one of two people killed when Baukus drove her Ford F-150 pickup into oncoming traffic on I-45, crashing head-on into the Chevy Aveo compact car that Travis was riding in. The other person killed in the accident was Nicole Adams, driver of the Aveo.

The lawsuit asserts a cause of action for dram shop liability, and alleges that two bars knowingly over-served alcohol to Baukus when Baukus was obviously intoxicated, thereby contributing to the deadly accident. One of the bars sued is On the Rox Sports Bar & Grill on Sawdust Road, the other is Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill on Interstate 45. The Saunders family's attorney told reporters that he hopes the lawsuit sends a powerful message to bars and bar staff that putting profit over safety is dangerous and unacceptable. Channel 2's story is here.

Roger Matice charged with possessing child pornography

According to a story published yesterday on Channel 11's web site, River Oaks area businessman Roger Matice has been charged with possessing and promoting child pornography in a sting operation executed by law enforcement.  Matice, who is 70-years old and facing his first criminal charge, is President of a business called Urban Designer Kitchens & Baths, located on Timmons. Reportedly an undercover law enforcement officer made contact with Matice, and Matice offered to upload pornographic images of children while he was at work, then offered to upload more disturbing images from his home computer. Investigators obtained a search warrant and Matice was arrested and charged. Assistant District Attorney John Wakefield, with the Harris County Child Exploitation Section explained that there is no profile for a person who possesses child pornography, it could be anybody. Erika Perdue, a wealthy Dallas socialite, made headlines earlier this year when she was arrested for possessing a massive volume of child pornography.

Photo source

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.

Most likely this is the car that caused the collision...

...this would the middle car of the three cars...

...and this Honda was probably at the front of the line.

The at-fault driver's boyfriend, following in a separate
vehicle, was arrested on suspicion of DWI.