WALLER COUNTY

A driver was arrested after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through multiple counties. In the process, multiple law enforcement vehicles were damaged, and one deputy suffered a minor injury.

A school bus was involved in a crash in Waller County Thursday, deputies with Harris County Sheriff’s Office said.

A group of students at Prairie View A&M University sued the county, claiming it set up an election schedule in 2018 that offered students — most of them Black — fewer opportunities to vote early than the county’s white residents.

A witness said a second chute did open, but only partially. The instructor's company said a student with him during the tandem jump has serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

A skydiving instructor has died due to injuries after a parachute failed to open during a tandem jump with a student in Waller County, representatives from Skydive Houston confirmed on Sunday

A skydiving instructor and female passenger were critically injured Saturday after their parachute failed to open during a tandem jump in Waller County, according to the county’s Sheriff’s Office.

Ryan Mitchell Smith, who is accused of stabbing a K-9 officer with a butcher knife and killing his father with a dumbbell, appeared before a judge Friday.

Here are things to know for Wednesday, Jan. 26

Authorities have arrested a man accused of leading law enforcement officers on two separate chases, stabbing a K-9 police dog and wanted for questioning in the death of his father. Ryan Mitchell Smith, 26, was located about 2 p.m. Tuesday walking along Highway 159 in Waller County. He was arrested without incident by a trooper with the Texas Department Public Safety.

Approximately 53 gallons of liquid meth have been seized from a Waller County home during a drug bust Monday, according to the Waller County Sheriff’s Office.

A La Marque mother, who had her 3-year-old son in the car with her, was murdered as she sat in the driver’s seat Thursday night, according to authorities.

Family and loved ones of Abigail Ragston came together to remember the beloved Hempstead ISD bus aide’s life after a tragic accident on Dec. 17.

A bus aide has died after a school bus carrying four Hempstead ISD students crashed in Waller County on Friday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

KPRC 2 Investigates has obtained exclusive video and photos of the aftermath of an Oct. 19, private jet crash in Brookshire.

The National Transportation Safety Board released details Wednesday into what happened when an MD-87 jetliner overran the runway at Houston Executive Airport following a rejected takeoff.

The Waller County District Attorney’s Office said a 16-year-old Texas driver who hit six bicyclists with his pickup truck in September faces six counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Witnesses claim the teenager was taunting the pack of bicyclists with his truck, trying to spew exhaust over them.

The 16-year-old driver accused of striking a group of cyclists with his truck in late September has now been charged, the Waller County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.

NTSB investigators on Thursday afternoon did not speculate on what may have caused Tuesday’s crash on an MD-87 in Waller County.

We are learning more about the 18 passengers and three crew members who were aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-87 when it ran off a runway in Brookshire.

A miracle aboard the McDonnell Douglass MD-87.

Six bicyclists were struck by an unidentified 16-year-old last month while on a training ride for Ironman Texas in Waller County.

Six bicyclists were struck by an unidentified 16-year-old last month while on a training ride for Ironman Texas in Waller County.

The Waller County District Attorney said the Waller Police Department mishandled its investigation into the teen driver who struck a group of cyclists in late September.

On Wednesday, attorneys Charlie Thomas and Peter Wilborn, Bike Law Director Rachael Maney, and Bike Houston Executive Director Joe Cutrufo held a virtual press conference to discuss the ongoing investigation involving six injured cyclists.

KPRC 2 has learned that a special prosecutor has been named after after six cyclists were struck by a teenager driving pick-up truck in Waller County.

Waller Police are conducting an investigation half a dozen cyclists say they were struck by a 16-year-old driving a pick-up truck.

A man who has dedicated his life to helping his community is receiving some help of his own as he fights for his life.

A former Waller County Sheriff’s Deputy investigator was arrested early Friday morning.

Waller County sheriff’s deputies are searching for a man possibly responsible for two incidents of police impersonation.

An 18-year-old volunteer firefighter was killed in a Texas shooting, officials say.

Here are things to know for Friday, May 28:

Investigators said Douglas Smith, 18, was shot one time while visiting a home off Bowler Road last Sunday.

At the Igloo headquarters along I-10 in Katy, Wednesday morning was all about vaccinations.

A viral video of the incident shows an off-duty Waller County deputy pointing a gun at the tiger as it slowly approaches.

An investigator with the Waller County District Attorney’s Office has been indicted on drug and money laundering charges, acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery announced Tuesday.

Tomball City Manager Rob Hauck died Saturday in a single-vehicle crash in Waller County, according to a release from the Tomball Police Department. The crash occurred around 1:20 p.m. near the intersection of FM 1774 and Riley Road. Hauck had been selected as Tomball’s City Manager in 2018. Prior to that, he served as the Chief of Police for Tomball Police Department from 2008 to 2014 and as Tomball’s Assistant City Manager from 2014 to 2018. Hauck leaves behind his wife, Kathleen Hauck, and their three children: Lauren Hauck Andrade, Madeline Scott, and Conner Scott.

Out in a rural stretch of Texas northwest of Houston, Waller County was born of plantations, cotton fields and slavery. More than a century ago, state lawmakers planted there the state's first public college where Black students could pursue higher education. Ben Torres/Texas TribuneJayla Allen graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 2019 with a degree in political science. Local efforts to neutralize Black voting power found support at the state Capitol, where the Texas Legislature in 1923 enacted laws limiting primary elections to white voters. "Texas’ oldest Black university was built on a former plantation.

More than a century ago, state lawmakers planted there the state's first public college where Black students could pursue higher education. When her grandfather was a student in the 1970s, Waller County systematically prevented Black students from registering to vote. Jayla Allen graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 2019 with a degree in political science. Barnett, the Precinct 3 commissioner who represented the university and opposed expanded early voting on campus, lost his seat. Prairie View A&M University graduate Jayla Allen holds her graduation stole, which was embroidered to include her late grandfather’s name.

To help alleviate some of that expense for diverse communities, rising PGA Tour star Cameron Champ donated $40,000 to the Prairie View A&M University golf program. Champ played college golf at Texas A&M and is one of the few black golfers on the PGA Tour. He was tasked with bringing the Prairie View A&M golf team back to prominence after a near 40-year conference championship drought. “I want to be the first myself.”COVID-19 holdJennings has a young team, and many of his golfers have yet to see college competition due to COVID-19 cancellations. Jennings said there’s a lot of work to do with his young team, while Latham believes the Panthers have the talent to place well in the SWAC.

Out in a rural stretch of Texas northwest of Houston, Waller County was born of plantations, cotton fields and slavery. More than a century ago, state lawmakers planted there the state's first public college where Black students could pursue higher education. When her grandfather was a student in the 1970s, Waller County systematically prevented Black students from registering to vote. That year, the Justice Department sued Waller County over its rejection of voter registration applications — most from Prairie View A&M students. Barnett, the Precinct 3 commissioner who represented the university and opposed expanded early voting on campus, lost his seat.

HOUSTON – The impact of the Texas winter storm forced several school districts to remain closed at this time. The Houston Independent School District is included on the list. Millions of Texans are still recovering from last week’s winter storm. On Sunday, HISD held a massive food and water distribution site with the Houston Food Bank at NRG Stadium and served around 5,000 families. They will also be assisting our families in distributing food boxes in partnership with the Houston Food Bank.

We remain in the midst of a severe winter weather event. 4: 40 a.m. - Houstonians rush to buy water after boil water advisory issuedHoustonians are rushing to buy water after a boil water advisory was issued. — County Judge KP George (@JudgeKPGeorge) February 17, 20214:20 a.m. - Houston, Harris County face issues from winter weather alertHouston and Harris County are facing issues from winter weather alerts. AdMondayDowntown Houston lit up during major winter power outageDowntown Houston lit up during major power outage due to winter storm on Feb 15, 2021. Officials said if residents lose power, which sporadic power outage is expected, the safest places to remain is at home.

HOUSTON – Prairie View A&M University will host the first COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Waller County. The site is open for those with appointments on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.“I think we are averaging 90 to 100 folks coming through an hour right now,” said Waller County Judge Trey Duhon. He said the drive-thru operation was planned in about a week and is a result of a collaboration between the county and university. “The university is really vested in making sure that we can do what we can to stop the spread of the virus,” said Tondra Moore, the executive director of health services for Prairie View University. So it’s awesome that we get to come here and put our skills into practice,” said PVU nursing student Keara Avie.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – A Hempstead man was injured Thursday night in a home explosion, officials said. At approximately 10:20 p.m. Thursday, fire crews with the Hempstead Fire Department were dispatched to a residence in the 1300 block of 5th Street on reports of an explosion. When he opened the door, “some type of explosion” occurred, said Dean Hensley, an investigator with Waller County Fire Marshal’s Office. A man at the scene said his uncle was the one injured in the explosion. “My uncle’s pretty burned,” said Saucedo.

BROOKSHIRE, Texas – The streets of Brookshire, a town of just about 5500 people in Waller County, are often slow and sometimes empty. The same can be said for many of their households that are empty of a critical segment of the population: fathers. Ninety percent of the children in Brookshire are being raised without fathers in the home. A Houston-based Christian nonprofit is planting roots in this community, in an attempt to cultivate stability and promising futures. A performance, part of Star Players, is a mentoring program for teenage boys through the hip hop ministry Eyes On Me.

HOUSTON At Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, they say trauma injuries are up. However, according to Memorial Hermann, traumas increased 24% from March July 2019 compared to March July 2020. Dr. Michelle McNutt, Trauma Medical Director for the Memorial Hermann Red Duke Institute, said shes noticed more motorcycle and ATV accidents as well, which could indicate people are just participating more in outdoor activities. Michael Beckman added to that statistic last month while riding his motorcycle through Waller County on his way to League City. Dr. McNutt said accidents like this and trauma, in general, are the leading cause of death for people under 40 and its preventable.

A Houston area constable said he was racially profiled, as part of a recent traffic stop. Waller County Precinct 3 Constable Herschel Smith, who is Black, said he found himself in handcuffs after he was pulled over in Harris County on Tuesday night. Smith said he was driving his unmarked unit on Beltway 8 with exempt plates and wearing his uniform when he was approached by deputies from Harris County Precinct 5. A white man saw me on the road after I flashed my light and passed him, Smith said. It wasnt just a regular stop, it was a felon stop, Smith said.

WALLER, Texas Funeral details have been released for Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith. Smith, 61, died Saturday from an apparent heart attack, Waller County Judge Trey Duhon announced. Sheriff Smith handled the death of Sandra Bland in a county jail back in 2015. KPRC 2 spoke to Sheriff Smith about recommendations to build a new jail, purchase body cameras, and anger management for deputies. Smith served the Waller County Sheriffs Department for nearly 12 years, including three terms as a sheriff.

HOUSTON Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith has died Saturday from an apparent heart attack, Waller County Judge Trey Duhon announced. Sheriff Smith will be greatly missed by his family, all of the employees of Waller County and the Sheriffs Office, and the Waller County community, Duhon said. He was a good friend, neighbor, neighbor sheriff, neighbor comrade, colleague, just a good man of work coalition of law enforcement with, Sheriff Sowell said. God Bless him and his family in this difficult time.Saddened to hear of the passing of Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith. Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) August 1, 2020Were sorry to hear of the passing of our friend and neighbor, Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith.

Despite criticism from those who said the bill doesnt address systemic racism, the Sandra Bland Act was monumental, Coleman said. You file the bill you want to pass, Coleman said. This time around, activism for police reform is much more sophisticated and focused on city officials, Coleman said. He argued that the process is easier on the local level compared to passing similar standards on the state level. In June, Turner also appointed a 45-member task force for policing reform in Houston.

Waller ISD is working to begin the 2020-2021 school year safely. According to a letter from Superintendent Kevin Moran dated June 24, Waller ISD has received survey feedback from parents who are uncertain about the beginning of the school year. Start dateAugust 24List of measures in placeFlexible learning alternatives: Superintendent Moran says the district will bring both online and in-person instruction to parents and students should they decide. #WISDfamily - Our 2020-2021 School Year Parent & Staff Input Survey ends tomorrow at 10 a.m. https://t.co/YV8wSEWsLq pic.twitter.com/cqnhrr7VM1 — Waller ISD (@WallerISD) July 5, 2020Do you have questions about Waller ISD’s plan?

HOUSTON Its time to start finding ways to beat the summer heat, as 90 degree days become more common in southeast Texas. Here is what you need to know about Houston weather in the days ahead:TodayA ridge of high pressure has begun to build into the region from the west. Wednesday AfternoonThursday through SaturdayHigh pressure will become more centered over Texas and, more broadly, the south-central U.S. through the second half of this week. It will continue to slowly strengthen and move north across the Gulf of Mexico. The 10-day forecast is a reminder that Gulf/tropical moisture that will be something to watch as we get to and through next weekend.

How Houston-area counties voted in the 2020 Democratic primary for presidentPHOTOS: How Houston-area counties voted in the Democratic primary for presidentSuper Tuesday results solidified some of the stronger democratic presidential candidates, namely former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders. >>>See how Houston-area counties voted in the primary democratic election... less PHOTOS: How Houston-area counties voted in the Democratic primary for presidentSuper Tuesday results solidified some of the stronger democratic presidential candidates, namely former Vice President Joe Biden ... more Photo: Getty Images/Houston Chronicle Photo: Getty Images/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close How Houston-area counties voted in the 2020 Democratic primary for president 1 / 15 Back to GalleryDespite long lines that forced polling places to remain open late into the night Tuesday, Harris County Democrats outnumbered Republicans by 2 to 1 on Election Day, the Houston Chronicle reported. Super Tuesday results solidified some of the stronger democratic presidential candidates, namely former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Chron.com compiled election results from Houston-area counties to see how the percentages shook out for each presidential candidate. Click through the photos above for a look at how Houston-area counties voted in the Democratic primary for president...

They pulled a woman out of her burning car! Talk about being in the right place at the right time! WALLER, Texas (KTRK) -- A couple is being hailed as a pair of heroes for saving a woman who was trapped inside a burning car after being involved in a serious crash in Waller.Michael Mathes, a firefighter who was off-duty at the time, said he was pulling into his driveway Monday when he heard a crash.He went to investigate and noticed a woman was inside a burning car. The couple, who say they constantly work as a team, said they were fortunate for being at the right place at the right time. I just think the Lord put me in the right place in the right time to make sure she had a second chance."

They pulled a woman out of her burning car! Talk about being in the right place at the right time! WALLER, Texas (KTRK) -- A couple is being hailed as a pair of heroes for saving a woman who was trapped inside a burning car after being involved in a serious crash in Waller.Michael Mathes, a firefighter who was off-duty at the time, said he was pulling into his driveway Monday when he heard a crash.He went to investigate and noticed a woman was inside a burning car. The couple, who say they constantly work as a team, said they were fortunate for being at the right place at the right time. I just think the Lord put me in the right place in the right time to make sure she had a second chance."

Registered voters in Fort Bend and Harris counties can vote at any voting center. Waller County voters may use any early voting polling location and can find their designated Election Day polling place on the countys website. It is not expected to raise sales taxes, and the agency will continue to share tax revenues with cities in its service area under the General Mobility Program. 10 Texas state constitutional amendmentsTexas voters can vote for or against 10 amendments to the states constitution Nov. 5. The Texas secretary of states office prepared a breakdown on how the ballot language will read and what each proposition actually means, which can be viewed at www.votetexas.gov.

The Texas Rangers arrested the mayor of Hempstead in Waller County Wednesday after an independent audit of the city's finances revealed inconsistencies that sparked an investigation into possible... Copyright 2019 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.

Michael Wolfe, the mayor of Hempstead, Texas, was arrested on Oct. 2, 2019 in connection with corruption investigations in the city. Every month, a billing clerk would compile a "cutoff list" and give it to Wolfe, according to the affidavit. "Mayor Wolfe confessed he removed (his daughter's) name from the cutoff list," the affidavit reads. The investigating Ranger wrote that Wolfe said he "provided these extensions to other City of Hempstead residents and saw no reason to treat his daughter differently." According to the affidavit, Wolfe's name was removed from the list by the city utility clerk at the time.

BROOKSHIRE, Texas – One man is dead after a massive house fire in Brookshire. According to authorities, the fire broke out around 7:30 p.m. Friday on North Depot Street near Highway 90 in Waller County. A neighbor saw the blaze and rushed to the home to help get the residents out, authorities said. The neighbor was able to pull one man out through a window, saving his life, but another man became trapped inside the home and he was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Firefighters said the two men were brothers and the one who was saved is reported to be mentally disabled.

Angel-Aviles-Perez is seen in these images released by the Texas Department of Public Safety on Sept. 3, 2019. WALLER, Texas - A man is being sought after authorities said he fled the scene of a crash Sunday that killed a woman and her unborn child in Waller County. The crash was reported about 2 p.m. on FM Road 359, near FM Road 3346. She was flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where both she and her unborn child were pronounced dead, investigators said. Anyone with information about the crash or the whereabouts of Aviles-Perez is asked to call the Texas DPS office at 979-826-7647.

Fort Bend County Services provided: animal services, clinical health services, emergency medical service, environmental health, indigent health care, senior services, public health preparedness, social services281-238-3233www.fbchealth.org2017-18 tax rate: N/A How healthy is Fort Bend County? That means there are 63 primary care physicians for every 100,000 residents, which ranks 60th statewide. Local health care industry in Katy-area 17,668 workers in the Katy area are employed in the health care and social assistance industry. Sources: U.S. Census American Community Survey 2017, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings, Texas Department of State Health Services, Fort Bend County Health and human Services, Harris County Health System, Katy Economic Development Association/Community Impact NewspaperThis article is part of our 2019 Health Care Directory. View more Health Care Directory coverage here.

Better look at the truck involved in the accident off Stokes Road pic.twitter.com/Uue3Nq2sTm Jeff Ehling (@JeffEhlingABC13) July 5, 2019Five people have been injured in a crash in northwest Harris County, including a 12-year-old who was ejected from a pickup truck.Deputies said the truck crashed into a ditch around 3:30 a.m. at the intersection of Knebel and Stokes near the Waller County line.The driver was going eastbound on Knebel when he failed to stop at the intersection and crashed into the ditch, deputies say.The 12-year-old girl was found submerged in the water and was rushed to the hospital. Deputies say she was not restrained properly in the truck. She is in very serious condition.Two of the passengers, 15 and 16, were taken by Life Flight.The two adults, 20 and 24, were injured and taken away by an ambulance.Deputies say alcohol may have played a factor in the crash. The investigator found signs of intoxication on the driver. Deputies say he walked to a house to get help after he crashed.

Pop-up storms prompt weather advisories in Houston areaPhoto: National Weather Service Photo: National Weather Service Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Pop-up storms prompt weather advisories in Houston area 1 / 23 Back to GalleryA couple of ill-timed storms popped up across the Houston area late Friday afternoon, making for a miserable rush-hour drive to end the work week. A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for the northern portion of Harris County, southwestern Montgomery County and northeastern Waller County until 6 p.m., the National Weather Service reported. LATEST DEVELOPMENT: Man's body recovered in semi-truck that crashed in San Jacinto RiverWith the rains came the threat of street flooding. As such, Houston TranStar urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel in parts of Aldine and Greenspoint. The storms also prompted a ground stop at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

There's only a 20% shower chance Friday with the next really wet day being Sunday. Big rig crash18-wheeler that flew off East Freeway bridge will stay in river for nowAn early morning crash sent an 18-wheeler flying off a bridge in east Harris County. Read moreDeadly boating accidentUniversity of Houston Athletics Robert Platt, a University of Houston student and athlete was killed Wednesday in Austin as a result of a boating accident, officials said. UH student-athlete killed in boating accidentRobert Platt, a University of Houston student and pole vaulter, died in a boating accident in Austin Wednesday evening, the university said on its website. Read moreWoman sentenedKPRCWoman to get 19 years in prison for 2018 crash that killed mother, childA woman charged in a crash that killed a mother and her 3-month-old son last year will be sentenced to 19 years in prison next month.

BROOKSHIRE, Texas – The driver of an 18-wheeler was killed Friday when he was ejected during a crash near Brookshire, according to authorities. Officials said the driver struck a barrier on I-10, near Peach Ridge Road, on the passenger side of his truck. The vehicle ended up in a body of water near the freeway. Officials said the crash happened around 3 p.m. The truck was eastbound on the freeway, heading toward Houston, officials said.

WALLER COUNTY, Texas – He was only 20 years old, a junior in college. I'll miss him," Houston's uncle, Nathaniel Dorsey, said. The Prairie View A&M student went missing Wednesday. His body was found in the woods in Waller County, two days after he was reported missing. Another Prairie View A&M student, 19-year-old Ayinde Williams, has been charged with the death of Houston.

WALLER COUNTY, Texas – An investigation into an allegation of sexual assault at the Waller County jail is being handed over to the Texas Rangers, according to the Waller County District Attorney’s Office. Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis shared this statement with KPRC 2, “The Waller County District Attorney’s Office has been made aware of the recent allegation of Sexual Assault at the Waller County Jail. This is a release from Waller County:"On Friday March 17, 2017 the Waller County Jail Staff received information that a female inmate had been sexually assaulted by a male inmate performing trusty type of duties. An investigation is being conducted by the Waller County Sheriff’s Office. The Waller County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers are monitoring the investigation.