APRIL 23, 2010
YOUNG WIFE OF SOLDIER IN IRAQ DIES IN FATAL ACCIDENT
Houston Police, Fire, and Montgomery County EMS were dispatched after 10 am to the northbound feeder of US59 at Northpark Plaza for a major accident. When they arrived they found a Chevrolet Aveo had slid down the feeder sideways and struck a pine tree broadside killing its driver.
According to Montgomery County, Assistant District Attorney Warren Diepraam the 21-year-old female whose husband is serving in Iraq was possibly involved in a road rage incident.
The suspect vehicle involved in the non-contact accident is described as a Maroon Ford F-150 with a white or Hispanic male driving. Witnesses were able to furnish investigators with a license plate number 64MKG2.
According to Diepraam, the maroon F-150 pickup was heading northbound in the center lane when it drove aggressively toward the Chevrolet Aveo. As a result, the victim lost control of her vehicle and slid sideways into a tree-killing her instantly.
The northbound feeder was closed down to two lanes until after 3 pm as the investigation continued.
Justice Of The Peace James Metts pronounced the young lady died at the scene and ordered an autopsy. Rosewood Funeral Directors transported the victim to The Southeast Forensic Center in Conroe.
The accident occurred in Montgomery County but was within the Houston city limits.
Houston Fire Department Heavy Rescue was dispatched to the scene to assist in removing the victim who was trapped in the vehicle.
The name is not yet being released until family members can be notified.
Investigators are urging anyone who witnessed the accident to contact the Houston Police Department, Montgomery County District Attorney or Crime Stoppers with the information.
APRIL 23, 2012
NO BOND SAYS EDWARDS FOR VERNA MCCLAIN
Montgomery County District 9 Judge Fred Edwards on Monday denied bond for Verna McClain, the woman accused of killing a mother outside of a Woodlands-area pediatric center and abducting the victim’s newborn son.
The judge agreed with District Attorney Brett Ligon that there was enough evidence for a capital murder case and, if the DA chooses, a chance at the death penalty.
“The burden on us is to put forth evidence, that we believe that she would be found guilty of capital murder, but not only would she be found guilty of capital murder but that a jury, if given the task, would in fact come back with a penalty of death. We believe that we met that burden,” Ligon said.
McClain, 30, appeared shaky and fidgety – rocking back and forth as she sat for the nearly two-hour hearing.
According to testimony, just hours after she allegedly shot 28-year-old Kala Golden and abducted then-3-day-old Keegan Schuchardt, McClain approached detectives and told them that she’d found the baby on the front steps of her apartment.
But after detectives discovered the getaway car with blood on the driver’s side door – along with a blood-covered pistol and cell phone in McClain’s apartment, they said McClain confessed that she was the one who killed Golden and snatched the child.
Keegan was found unharmed that night at a home with McClain’s sister, investigators said.
Investigators said they also found a bloody long-sleeve T-shirt at that home, and they determined that the shell casings recovered at the scene of the shooting matched the pistol found in McClain’s apartment.
Still, defense attorneys on Monday asked the judge to grant McClain a bond of $100,000 or less, so she could be released to tend to her own children.
But Judge Fred Edwards sided with the DA, saying there was enough evidence to hold McClain without bail for what he described as a cold, calculated, premeditated murder.
“I’m disappointed because this is the United States, and bail and bond is a big issue as part of our constitutional protections, and for it to be denied – certainly rare. Certainly rare,” defense attorney E. Tay Bond said.
APRIL 23, 2013
FOXWOOD METH LAB
Officials said several grocery bags full of methamphetamines with an estimated street value of $2.5 million were found in a home near Humble overnight.
The big find was all thanks to a burglary call next door in the 20100 block of Bolton Bridge Lane.
Harris County Pct. 4 Deputy Constables said while looking at the home where the burglary call was made, they saw the back door to the neighboring home was open. They were able to look inside and could see the drugs, officials said.
Constables said the people who run the meth operation may have seen officers and ran from the scene, leaving the door open. The suspects were never located.
Inside the home authorities said they found a meth processing facility. It appeared some of the drugs were prepped at another location before being fully processed using equipment in the home.
Investigators said the home may be one of many stops in a massive drug ring based out of Mexico.
At least two vehicles with Texas license plates were left at the home.
APRIL 23, 2016
HUFFSMITH KUYKENDAHL FATAL CRASH
On Saturday, April 23, 2016, at approximately 315pm, Dawna Womack was operating a blue Chevrolet Cruze traveling eastbound in the 9400 block of Hufsmith Kuykendahl Road. Cynthia Russie was operating a black Chevrolet Avalanche traveling westbound. Womack failed to drive in a single lane, entered the westbound lane of travel, and crashed into the Chevrolet Avalanche. Russie and four passengers were transported to Memorial Hermann in The Woodlands with non-life-threatening injuries. Womack was found with no signs of life on the scene due to the injuries she sustained in the collision. This crash is being investigated by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Enforcement Division.
APRIL 23, 2016
RED OAK 2-ALARM FIRE
APRIL 23, 2016
SH 249 AUTO PEDESTRIAN FATAL CRASH
At approximately 0200 hours on 4/23/16, Anthony Barden was walking northbound in the 19400 block of Tomball Parkway (State Highway 249). Mr. Barden was walking in the outside lane of the northbound service road with his back towards traffic. Andrea Soliz was driving a 2008 Infinity EX35 at the same time and was in the center lane of travel. Ms. Soliz observed the pedestrian in the roadway and moved to the left. At this time an unknown person driving a white pickup truck in the outside lane of travel and was approaching Mr. Barden. Mr. Barden failed to yield the right of way to vehicular traffic resulting in the front of the pickup truck striking the back of Mr. Barden and forcing him down to the ground. After impact the driver of the pickup truck swerved to the left and struck the right side of Ms. Soliz’ vehicle with the left side of the pickup truck. Mr. Barden sustained fatal injuries during this collision. The pickup truck was identified by vehicle debris as a white, 2003-2004 Ford F-150. This case remains under investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
APRIL 23, 2016
STABBING DOA ON WESTWARD
Houston police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a man that occurred at 6231 Westward at about 12:20 a.m. on Sunday (April 24).
The identity of the victim is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeant M. Miller and Officer C. Elder reported:
The victim got into a dispute with more than one unknown suspect. The dispute turned violent and, at some point, one suspect stabbed the victim multiple times. When officers arrived, the victim was found lying next to a knife. He was transported by HFD paramedics to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
There are no known suspects nor motives at this time.
Anyone with information, in this case, is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
APRIL 23, 2018
HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 DEPUTY GAINES TALKS ABOUT HIS SHOOTING
For the first time, the Harris County Precinct 4 deputy who was injured during a shootout at an Atascocita home publicly spoke out about his injuries. Deputy Chris Gaines walked into the room using crutches and with his family by his side. He says he’s managing the pain through medication but still has a long road ahead. The young deputy has already been through eight hours of surgery, but there is still one pellet lodged under his skin. “That’s why I have the crutches,” Gaines said. His smile and openness is surprising, considering all he has been through. On Tuesday, April 17, around 2:30 a.m., Gaines was one of four deputies to respond to a call for help at a home on Saratoga Woods Lane in the Eagle Springs subdivision. “I remember all of it,” Gaines said. Dispatch relayed to Gaines and the other deputies the caller was suicidal. From the moment they arrived, Gaines said he felt uneasy. The layout of the front yard didn’t allow for many spots for cover, should something go wrong. “It was a horrible setup. It’s one of the worst kinds of buildings that a cop could approach.” Gaines said. The deputies were talking about a game plan. That’s when Gaines says a man with a shotgun came out, yelling and threatening the officers, then he fired. Gaines stood about 12 feet from the shooter. He was hit eight times by shotgun pellets. Gaines’ wife was at home close by. He says she heard the shots. “She texted me: are you okay? I think I had five or six text messages. Obviously, I didn’t respond,” Gaines said. Gaines was flown to Memorial Hermann. He didn’t think he would make it. He says he thought about his wife and their 4-year-old daughter, Zoey. That kept him conscious. “I thank God for that,” Gaines said. He has one more surgery left and says doctors tell him he will recover in six to eight weeks. Gaines is ready to get back to work. He’s been blown away by the support from people all over. “Literally everyone saying I’m praying for you, is there anything I can do for you?” Gaines said. Authorities say the man who allegedly shot Gaines is Wesley Smith, 31. He’s been charged with four counts of aggravated assault. He could serve up to 99 years in prison if he’s convicted.
APRIL 23, 2019
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRECINCT 4 SHOOT DON’T SHOOT CITIZENS ACADEMY
Tuesday night students in the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Citizens Academy took part in a Shoot Don’t Shoot Scenario in New Caney. Incidents were set up where the student is on a traffic stop and must handle the situation as it presents itself. The second situation was where the student responds to a disturbance and many learned very quickly how fast something like can get out of hand. The students graduate next week. Another class will be starting soon. For information contact Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constables Office.
The Citizens Constable Academy is currently a FREE up to 14-week program designed to provide the public with a working knowledge of the Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office, local law enforcement and county government. Each session consists of weekly classes that meet at the Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace courtroom. The instruction is comprehensive, engaging and absolutely entertaining.
Next class starts soon and continues each Tuesday from 6p-9p.
Constable Hayden allows 2 absences to still be able to graduate from the class. If you cannot attend most of the classes, please do not sign up as there are very limited spots.
Course topics can include:
Patrol/Traffic Stops
Civil Service
Life of a Deputy
SRT/SRG
Water Rescue
JP Court/Baliff
Reserve
Asset Forfeiture
Neighborhood Watch
Narcotics
K9
Shoot/Don’t Shoot Exercises
Crime Scene Practical
Surrounding Law Enforcement Agencies
The slogan of the Citizens Constable Academy is, “Understanding through Education.” The goal is to educate the public about the Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office, associated county offices and to increase the rapport between citizens and law enforcement.
We hope the graduates of the Citizens Constable Academy become more aware and better informed about how law enforcement operates and will encourage friends, coworkers and families to join the Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office in this rewarding program.
The qualifications to attend the Citizens Constable Academy are:
Must be 18 years of age
Must be a resident of Montgomery County or work in Montgomery County
Must pass a background check and not have been convicted of any felony crimes
At graduation, you will have an opportunity to join our amazing Citizen’s Constable Academy Alumni Association!
Note: This is not a peace officer/law enforcement academy, and upon completion, you will NOT become a peace officer.
APRIL 23, 2021
Just after 5 pm residents of Panorama Village in North Montgomery County were preparing for dinner and watching a steady rain coming down. Minutes later the rain turned intense and then high winds estimated to have been over 60 mph. Huge 100-foot pine trees toppled, oaks toppled, huge limbs broke off one falling against a house. One man visiting from San Antonio said they stood outside for a bit, then to a window, and finally sought shelter in the interior of the house once the winds hit. He said the winds lasted about 45-seconds and it was gone. An assessment of the area showed that there was no tornado but just straight-line winds that did the damage.
APRIL 23, 2021
Just after 9 pm Friday evening Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constables responded to a reported major accident at FM 1314 and Sorters Road in Porter. Units arrived to find a Corvette parked under a mini-van. Both the mini-van and the Corvette were headed south on FM 1314 at Sorters when the Corvette failed to stop for the red light and drove up under the SUV. MCHD responded to the scene to check the three occupants of the SUV who suffered minor injuries but refused transport. The driver of the Corvette was also not injured however did appear to be impaired. A Precinct 4 Certified DWI Deputy was summoned to the scene. The driver who was identified as Texas State Representative Dan Huberty from District 127 was given a field sobriety test and failed. He was detained. At that point, he told officers he was returning from the session in Austin. According to the Texas State Constitution, Article 3, Section 14-Sec. 14. PRIVILEGE FROM ARREST DURING LEGISLATIVE SESSION. Senators and Representatives shall, except in cases of treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during the session of the Legislature, and in going to and returning from the same. (Amended Nov. 2, 1999.) (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. 14: See Appendix, Note 1.).However, Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon after being consulted told Deputies to arrest him and transport him to the Montgomery County Jail for DWI as this was a breach of the peace. He will now be booked into the Montgomery County Jail. His Corvette was impounded. This is not the first time that Huberty has been intoxicated in public. In a video from May 29, 2015 while near the end of the Session Hubety confronted a report in Austin while it appeared that he appeared intoxicated.
