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Man walking in middle of Brownsville road hit, killed

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating an early morning crash on Thursday that left a man dead. In a news release, DPS said the crash happened at approximately 5:09 a.m. on FM 511 north of Florida Road in Brownsville. A preliminary investigation shows that a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria traveling south of FM 511 hit a man who was walking northbound in the middle of the road. The driver of the Ford stopped to render aid, and the unidentified man died at the scene. DPS will release the identity of the man once his next of kin are notified of his death.

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Amid fallout from the Uvalde shooting, Texas DPS wants $1.2 billion for academy, active-shooter training facility

The Texas Department of Public Safety wants $1.2 billion to turn its training center north of Austin into a full-time statewide law enforcement academy — starting with a state-of-theart active-shooter facility that would need a nearly half-billion-dollar investment from Texas taxpayers next year.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas

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Edinburg man dies in fatal crash in San Carlos

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a two-vehicle fatal collision that left a 50-year-old man dead at the scene Monday. Edinburg resident Daniel Luna died after succumbing to his injuries, DPS said in a news release. The crash occurred in San Carlos at about 5:48 p.m. Monday at the intersection of State Highway 107 and Sunflower Road. One passenger was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries while the other was transported via air evac due to being in critical condition. Police said the driver and passenger of the Silverado weren’t taken to the hospital.

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3-vehicle crash on SH 48 leaves man dead

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal crash that happened on State Highway 48 Sunday night that left a man dead. “A 2005 GMC Sierra (occupied by one male driver) was traveling eastbound on the outside lanes of SH 48 and collided with the Ford,” the news release stated. “The impact caused the Ford to move onto the westbound lanes of SH 48.”DPS said that a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu occupied only by a man driving it westbound then collided with the Ford, causing its driver to be ejected. The unidentified man was taken to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville where he died. DPS said the man’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

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San Juan teen struck, killed minutes into 2022

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a New Year’s Day crash that left a 17-year-old San Juan resident who was crossing the road dead. DPS said in a news release that the fatal crash happened on Cesar Chavez Road south of Owassa Road at 12:06 a.m. Saturday. The preliminary investigation indicates a 2012 white Toyota Sienna driven by a man was traveling at a high rate of speed and hit Juan Vasquez Jr., who died at the scene. “The driver of the Toyota fled on foot,” DPS said in a Saturday news release. As of Monday morning, the agency had not issued an update on the status of the driver.

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Texas trooper Chad Walker dies days after he was shot multiple times while on duty

MEXIA, Texas – The Texas state trooper who was shot during a traffic stop last week died on Wednesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed. Trooper Chad Walker, 38, was stopping to assist a driver near Mexia, Texas, around 7:45 p.m. Friday, March 26, when he was shot multiple times. Trooper Walker was transported to Baylor Scott & White – Hillcrest Hospital in Waco, where he later died from his injuries. “Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Chad Walker was committed to protecting the people of Texas. His career in law enforcement began in 2003 with the Groesbeck Police Department and continued as a member of the Athens Police Department, Henderson Co. Sheriff’s Office and Limestone Co. Sheriff’s Office.

Texas Capitol being closed through Biden’s inauguration ‘out of an abundance of caution,’ officials say

The Texas Capitol is seen in Austin, Texas, in this undated file image. AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Capitol is being closed through the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden “out of an abundance of caution,” officials at the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Friday. In a written statement, DPS Director Steven McCraw said they are aware of armed protests that have been planned at the state Capitol this week and “violent extremists may seek to exploit” the events. “As a result, DPS has deployed additional personnel and resources to the Capitol and are working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Austin Police Department to monitor events and enforce the rule of law,” McCraw said in the statement. McCraw asked people to report any suspicious activity they see on the internet or in public to call the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Austin Police Department or DPS at iWatchtx.org.

DPS announces temporary waiver for driver licenses, ID expirations ends in April

HOUSTON – The Texas Department of Public Safety announced Tuesday that the temporary waiver for driver licenses and identification cards will end in April. DPS is urging customers to renew by appointment. The waiver applies to driver licenses, commercial learner permits, ID cards and election identification certificates that expired on or after March 13, 2020. Scheduling an appointmentTo schedule an appointment or check availability, visit the online appointment scheduler. Because of the no-shows, many offices offer customers without appointments to be placed on a “standby” list.

DPS officer fatally shoots armed robbery suspect, HPD says

HOUSTON – A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper fatally shot an armed robbery suspect Friday night in northwest Houston, according to Houston Police Department. The incident occurred around 7:40 p.m.DPS Special Agents were involved in a shooting with an armed robbery suspect near Antoine and Victory in Houston. That’s when the DPS special agent opened fire, killing the man. There’s no ID on the suspect, but HCSO and DPS say he was part of an investigation into several armed robberies in Harris County. The DPS special agent was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

Ask 2: Can you tell me if car inspections are still waived due to COVID? What about registrations?

Question: Connie H Schiller asks, “Can you tell me if car inspections are still waived due to COVID? Since we’re still battling this pandemic, the waiver for vehicle registration, which first went into effect on March 16, is still active. Though, this buys drivers time to take care of their vehicle registration, if you want to go ahead and get it done now you can. Taking the bottom portion of your registration renewal letter, accompanied by your payment and mailing it to your county tax office is another option. Remember, when DPS announces their new timeline for vehicle registrations, you’ll still have a 60-day period before you must renew.

Texas driver’s license information possibly exposed during data breach, company says

HOUSTON – The information of Texas drivers may have been exposed during a breach, according to database company Vertafore. The files included driver information for licenses issued before February 2019. That information contained Texas driver license numbers, names, dates of birth, addresses and vehicle registration histories, the company said. The breach was also reported to the Texas Attorney General, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and U.S. federal law enforcement. The Texas Department of Public Safety released the following statement regarding the incident:"There has been no breach of the Texas Driver License System or any other DPS database.

DPS to increase law enforcement during Labor Day weekend

AUSTIN, Texas Whether youre just driving around town or traveling this Labor Day, the Texas Department of Public Safety encourages all drivers to practice safe driving habits and exercise caution throughout the holiday weekend. Beginning Friday through Monday, the Texas Highway Patrol will increase its enforcement on Texas roads. DPS reminds all travelers to be responsible and practice safe driving habits this Labor Day, said DPS Director Steven McCraw. DPS enforcement efforts also resulted in 489 DWI arrests, 358 fugitive arrests and 354 felony arrests. Drivers are encouraged to follow these safety tips during the Labor Day weekend:

How to get a same-day appointment at a DPS office

HOUSTON – If you have tried to book an appointment to renew your drivers license or do anything at a Texas DPS office lately, you know you could be waiting months. When you go to the DPS appointment website and enter your information, skip or change a letter in your name. Instead of typing in your zip code to find an office close to you, choose the name of a smaller city with a DPS office near Houston. No-shows making wait times longerWhen you secure a new appointment, make sure you cancel your first one. Same-day appointmentsTwo other things that DPS told us that it doesn’t advertise.

Texans face delays of weeks, months to renew drivers licenses

HOUSTON – Driver license offices in Texas are back open for business. However, if you are trying to book an appointment, the earliest available may be weeks or even months away. Margo Shea’s Wednesday afternoon appointment at the South Gessner Road office in Houston was booked about two months ago. When we checked for appointments for a new driver’s license, the earliest we found in the Houston area was Sept. 8 at the southeast office on Galveston Road. Madeleine Gibson, 17, said she made an appointment for a state ID about two months ago.

DPS trooper charged with sexually assaulting woman while on duty appears in court

HOUSTON – Lee Boykin, 31, took an oath to serve and protect as a DPS trooper, but he found himself on the wrong side of the law after being charged with aggravated sexual assault. Authorities accuse him of pulling over a woman, driving her to a parking lot and forcing her to perform sex acts. Investigators say he claims the sex act was consensual. He was arrested Saturday and posted a $100,000 bond on Sunday. If convicted of aggravated sexual assault, Boykin could spend 5 to 99 years or life behind bars.

100 deadliest days for teen drivers

HOUSTON Shocking statistics show for every mile driven, new teen drivers are three times more likely to be in a deadly crash compared to adults, according to AAA. What can be even more shocking, is that right now we are under the 100 deadliest days on the road for teen drivers. Traffic Expert Anavid Reyes took a look at what this means for these young Texas drivers. AAA says about 68 teens in Texas are killed in a car crash every summer and in the past month, 72% of teen drivers nationwide admitted to risky behavior behind the wheel. According to Henk, the five leading risks for teen crashes are:

Inside Texas cold cases: Her nude body was found outside a Texas church. 10 years later, DNA named her killer

Published: May 22, 2020, 8:17 am Updated: May 22, 2020, 8:24 amHOUSTON – Texas has its share of homicide cases that have gone cold. KPRC 2 is taking a look back at both the solved and unsolved cases featured by the Texas Department of Public Safety to acknowledge the ability to solve cold cases and perhaps seek justice in cases that remain cold. Reopening the caseNine years later, the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Cold Case Unit reopened the case. Naming him a killerThe original suspect, Sandoval, was arrested. It was always in the back of people’s minds.”Do you remember a murder case that you’d like us to investigate?

DPS now offering limited reopening of driver license offices. Here’s what you should know

Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety announced the limited reopening of driver license offices on May 26. DPS will launch a statewide driver license (DL) appointment system that allows customers to book appointments up to six months in advance. “This phased opening of our driver license offices and the launch of DPS’ online appointment system prioritizes the health and safety of our communities and ensures Texans have access to the services they need at their local driver license offices,” Abbott said. Phase 2: Offices in DPS’ South and Central Texas regions will reopen with limited services beginning May 29, 2020. Phase 3: Offices in DPS’ North and Southeast Texas regions will reopen with limited services beginning June 3, 2020.

Gator with its tail run over spotted on road in Conroe

Published: May 14, 2020, 7:22 am Updated: May 14, 2020, 8:16 amCONROE, Texas – A driver had a run-in with a feisty alligator overnight in Conroe. KPRC 2 was told the reptile’s tail had been run over on Sergeant Ed Holcomb and South Loop 336. Officers and DPS troopers were able to get the alligator off the road, but it put up quite the fight as they tried to relocate it. Using ropes and a dog catcher, the reptile was finally caught and loaded onto a wrecker. It was then released in a swamp several miles away.

Texas rolls out new driver’s license, ID card design

TEXAS – If you get a new driver’s license, identification card or license to carry card this week in the state of Texas, you may notice a new design. The Texas Department of Public Safety says the new cards have added security features and better protects against forgeries. The new driver’s licenses and identification cards have visible identifiers on the front, which include identifying those who have a health condition that could hamper their ability to communicate with others, per DPS. The new cards also identify veterans and disabled veterans as well as their branch of service, on the front of the cards. Officials say the cards are Real ID compliant and have a gold star in the upper right corner.

DPS Trooper fires gun at armed robbers in northwest Houston; search underway after suspects flee

HOUSTON – A Department of Public Safety trooper fired his gun at three men who officials say were trying to rob an AT&T store in northwest Houston Wednesday afternoon. The gunshot did not strike any of the suspects and they fled the scene on foot, officials say. At about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, the trooper was working security at the store located at the 10650 Northwest Freeway, DPS officials said in a press conference. The trooper was in uniform when the accused approached the store and he “made his presence known” and then “opened fire” on the suspects, officials said. At least one of them was wearing a mask, officials say.

Parking woes at Gessner DPS Mega Office to soon lessen as renovations begin

HOUSTON – Parking issues at the Department of Public Safety office on Gessner Road will soon come to an end, as officials announced that the parking lot will soon be renovated. Starting Friday, DPS will begin upgrading the parking lot of the Houston Gessner DPS Mega Center on Gessner Road, officials announced in a news release. “The goal of this upgrade is to better serve our customers by expanding the total number of parking spaces while improving vehicle and pedestrian traffic flow,” Texas DPS said in a statement. Customers are advised to visit alternate driver’s license offices as the number of parking spaces at the Gessner location will be significantly reduced during the renovation. For more information and to find an alternate office near you, visit dps.texas.gov.

Sandra Bland supporters demand investigation into Waller County

HOUSTON – A day after the DPS trooper charged with perjury during Sandra Bland's arrest turned himself in, supporters of Bland and community activists are calling for an investigation into Waller County officials. The protesters are requesting that U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch intercede and investigate Waller County. "We need the Department of Justice to investigate the prosecutor in Waller County. It was a July traffic stop in Prairie View that thrust Bland and Waller County into the national spotlight. After a tense exchange, Bland eventually was arrested and placed in the Waller County Jail, where three days later she hanged herself.