News from the Lone Star State

[TexasStooge]

Dallas police investigating kidnapping

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Dallas police were investigating Thursday the five-hour kidnapping of a boy that ended when his abductors dropped him off at a convenience store.

The case began unfolding about 6 p.m. Wednesday, when two armed suspects bound several family members at a home in the 5400 block of Freestone Circle in Southeast Dallas and fled with 9-year-old Jhashua Gomez.

Dallas police Cpl. Max Geron said several callers notified police, but he would not say if any of the calls came from inside the residence.

Youth Division detectives, aided by the FBI, began an intensive investigation.

Shortly after 11 p.m., police received a call that Jhashua had been dropped off at a convenience store in the 2900 block of Walnut Hill Lane. He had minor scratches indicating that his hands had been bound but he otherwise was uninjured, Cpl. Geron said.

Cpl. Geron said it was unclear if the suspects were known to the family members. No one was in custody as of Friday morning, he said.

[TexasStooge]

1 teen killed, 4 injured in wreck (Updated)

FLOWER MOUND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A 14-year-old boy died and four other teens were seriously injured early Thursday in Flower Mound when their pickup crashed into a tree and burst into flames.

Flower Mound police Officer Paul Boon said the preliminary investigation shows that the 1994 Ford Ranger was westbound in the 3700 block of Flower Mound Road, just west of Furlong Drive, when the driver lost control and slammed into a tree.

When firefighters and police arrived about 3:10 a.m., they found the vehicle engulfed in flames, he said.

Michael Ryan, Flower Mound's director of community affairs, said two boys, ages 14 and 15, both in critical condition, and a 14-year-old girl in stable condition were transported by helicopter to Parkland Memorial Hospital. Another 14-year-old girl in stable condition traveled by ambulance to Parkland, Ryan said.

The four occupants who survived were found outside the vehicle when firefighters and police officers arrived. The fifth victim, who was trapped inside, later was pronounced dead at the scene, Ryan said.

"All possible factors that could have contributed to the accident are under investigation," Ryan said. "We're looking at everything."

Hours after the accident, a smoky smell hung in the area around the charred tree, which was surrounded by debris and shattered glass. The accident occurred in front of a private neighborhood athletic club.

Hospital spokeswoman Lynsey Purl said the families requested that updated information about their conditions be kept confidential.

Ryan said it was unclear whether the teens lived in Flower Mound or attended Lewisville Independent School District schools.


WFAA ABC 8
The accident occurred in front of a private neighborhood athletic club.

[TexasStooge]

Whole Foods to open Dallas flagship store

By CRAYTON HARRISON / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - Whole Foods Market Inc. plans to build a giant, flagship grocery store at the corner of Greenville Avenue and Park Lane, the Austin-based company confirmed Thursday.

The 80,000-square foot location will open in early 2007, spokesman Scott Simons said.

Dallas’ large, gourmet-loving population makes it a good candidate for a store far bigger than the 50,000-square foot area of most new Whole Foods locations, Mr. Simons said. He said he wasn’t sure of the store’s exact location at the intersection.

The company plans to keep operating a separate location on Lower Greenville Avenue, Mr. Simons said.

Whole Foods has plans for rapid growth. The company hopes to have 300 stores open around the world by 2010, up from 179 today.

On Wednesday, the company’s stock was added to Standard & Poor’s benchmark 500 index. Its shares are up about 64 percent this year.

[TexasStooge]

I-20 crash kills woman, daughter

By MICHAEL GRABELL / The Dallas Morning News

FORT WORTH, Texas - A Fort Worth man accused of a double road-rage killing on Interstate 20 near Canton was arraigned Thursday morning on two counts of criminally negligent homicide and three counts of failure to stop and render aid. Bail was set at $850,000.

State troopers said that Jason Youngblood, 32, was driving east on I-20 when he tailgated a car carrying a Dallas family. Mr. Youngblood tried to pass and hit the front of their car. The car spun across the median and was hit by a sport-utility vehicle driven by a Flower Mound woman.

Alshamshad Sundrani, 39, and her 13-year-old daughter, Tooba Sundrani, were killed. Five others were injured.

"From all the eyewitness statements and from the suspect's own admission, this was nothing more than road rage," Department of Public Safety Trooper Jason Matura said in Thursday editions of the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

Raheel Sundrani, 17, remained in serious condition at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler.

The SUV passengers, Jennifer Gateley and her 5-year-old son, Colbey, were treated at the Medical Center at Terrell and released.

Troopers said Mr. Youngblood left the scene of the accident and stopped at a convenience store to ask for directions to the Canton Police Department. But when interviewed, he denied being involved in the accident, police said.

[TexasStooge]

Area schools finish strong at cheerleading contest

By KATHY GOOLSBY / The Dallas Morning News

At summer camp, members of the Rockwall and Grapevine cheerleading squads formed fast friendships as they worked and played together.

So it was bittersweet going into the finals Thursday at the National Cheerleaders Association's Senior and Junior High School National Championships. The two teams were virtually neck-and-neck in the medium varsity division, and a win for either team would bring joy and sadness for both.

In the end, there was only joy and jubilation as the teams tied for first with a score of 9.22 out of a possible 10.

"Winning solves all problems," Rockwall coach Brad Habermel said as his team headed out of the Dallas Convention Center arena to receive their first-place jackets. "We've worked a lot with Grapevine, so this is great."

Ties are not uncommon at Nationals, although it's a little unusual in first place, said Justin Carrier, director of NCA development.

"A tie for first happens every once in awhile, maybe every few years," Mr. Carrier said. "Both of these teams were incredibly strong going into the finals."

Arlington's Martin High School placed fourth in the medium varsity division. In other competition, Martin's freshman squad came away with a first-place trophy in the freshman division.

"It's amazing, especially since one girl got hurt," said Callie Montgomery, 14. "It's really great to have a good run and be the best that you can be."

Mansfield High School won first place in the small varsity division with a score of 9.28.

"We're really excited about the score," said team sponsor Brett Hansen. "You never know what to expect, so I'm just thrilled." About 200 teams from across the country are competing in 19 divisions at the event, including about a dozen from around North Texas.

The competition will conclude Thursday evening with the Grand Champion award, which is given to the squad with the day's highest score. Sachse High School won the award the past two years, and team members are hoping to make it three in a row.

[TexasStooge]

Suspect held after undercover drug bust

WEATHERFORD, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A drug suspect was in custody Thursday after he struck a Weatherford police officer involved in an undercover buy, officials said.

About 11:55 p.m. Wednesday, several officers from the Weatherford/Parker County Special Crimes Unit were conducting a narcotics operation at the Drivers Truck Stop in the 3900 block of Interstate 20. After buying about a pound of marijuana from the suspect, officers moved in to arrest him, according to Weatherford police.

Lt. Chris Crawford said that as officers approached, the suspect put his pickup in reverse and accelerated, striking a Weatherford police special crimes investigator. With the vehicle moving, the officer managed to get his footing and hurl himself into the truck bed, Lt. Crawford said.

The suspect sped up and spun the truck, throwing the investigator from the vehicle. Meanwhile, other officers began firing, striking the suspect at least once, Lt. Crawford said.

After the suspect's vehicle slowed, investigators managed to take him into custody. He was transported by helicopter to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, where he remained in stable condition. Charges against him were pending, the lieutenant said.

The investigator who was thrown from the truck was treated and released from Harris Hospital. Lt. Crawford said his name would not be released.

All of the investigators will be placed on routine administrative leave until the investigation has been completed, Weatherford police said.

[TexasStooge]

Widow waits for DPS drill review

Fee raised to attract expert to study boxing exercise that killed recruit

By DAVE MICHAELS / The Dallas Morning News

AUSTIN, Texas – Seven months after a recruit died from injuries suffered at the Texas Department of Public Safety training academy, officials still have not conducted a review of the full-contact fighting drill that killed him.

The department said in June that it would hire a consultant to analyze how trainers conducted a drill that killed Jimmy Ray Carty Jr., 30. Academy instructors have used the drill for 30 years or more, sometimes altering it after recruits were seriously injured. Still, the fighting has caused at least 121 concussions since 1978.

DPS officials said their September offer of $25,000 to consultants was probably too low to attract experts. The offer expired in November, officials said.

"It has been extremely difficult to find someone qualified who is available and interested," said Ernest Angelo, a Midland businessman and chairman of the Public Safety Commission overseeing DPS.

On Thursday, the governor's office approved a new consultant offer of $85,000. Phil Wilson, the governor's deputy chief of staff, said he hoped the arrangements would be expedited.

"We hope some people can come in who are qualified and make recommendations on the training," Mr. Wilson said.

DA's office seeks records

Although DPS has not started its review, the Travis County district attorney's office said this week that it requested records pertaining to DPS training and Mr. Carty's death. A prosecutor did not characterize the inquiry as a criminal investigation, but he said the district attorney's office is "looking into it."

"With a death, we need to look at it to see if anything needs to be done," said assistant district attorney Duke Hildreth.

During Mr. Carty's fight, some trainers protested a lieutenant's decision to match the recruit against a man they believed to be a superior fighter. But Lt. Erwin Ballarta overruled their concerns. Mr. Carty died of a severe brain injury.

His widow, Christy Carty, said she asked Travis County prosecutors to investigate Lt. Ballarta's conduct. She declined to say whether she believes criminal charges are warranted.

"Ballarta needs to be held accountable," she said. "That is what I hope comes out of this investigation."

Lt. Ballarta did not return messages this week seeking comment. Tela Mange, a department spokeswoman, said Thursday that she was not aware of any materials requested by the district attorney's office.

DPS opens a recruit class in March. The fighting drill, called active countermeasures, will not be used until the consultant's review is complete, Mr. Angelo said.

But DPS administrators have always known that active countermeasures carried risks. In October, The Dallas Morning News reported that a sergeant – who supported using the boxing drill to teach troopers self defense – told DPS in 1978 that concussions would occur even if recruits wore headgear.

A female recruit almost died in 1978 while fighting, and a male recruit collapsed into a coma for six months after being hit in 1988. That recruit, Joel Cordova, suffered brain damage from which he has not fully recovered.

After Mr. Cordova's injury, the agency directed its recruit school coordinator to "phase out tactics that require actual strikes to the head." The coordinator developed a new program that added more padding and allowed recruits to kick but did not prohibit head blows.

Necessary preparation?

The drill is based on the belief that state troopers, who often work alone in remote areas, must know how to fight back against suspects. Some troopers injured during the training have called the drill necessary preparation.

Carlos H. Cascos, a public safety commissioner, said Thursday that he believes the training should be amended.

"I personally would not support the status quo, going through the same procedures and methodology we went through the last time, for fear of something tragic happening again," Mr. Cascos said.

Ms. Carty said she supports most law-enforcement training but believes DPS must make its training safer.

"DPS' motto is 'courtesy, service and protection,' " Ms. Carty said. "Then show courtesy to the family by investigating the boxing drill, serve the public by following through, and give future recruits the reassurance that they'll be protected in the academy."

[TexasStooge]

Arrest made in over year old road rage case

By KARIN KELLY / WFAA ABC 8

FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth police arrested Ariel Martinez in relation to a road rage killing that was growing cold and happened over a year ago.

Martinez, 30, was placed in custody for the murder of Kent Schnable, who 12 months ago died six days after someone punched him and left him near Interstate 35 and Rosedale.

"At some point words came to blows," said Lt. Dean Sullivan, Fort Worth Police Department. "Mr. Schnable was apparently struck and fell to the ground [and] there was a closed head, blunt force trauma that ultimately led to his death a few days later. So, right now it's still a murder."

During the six days Schnable continued to live after the head trauma, his family kept vigil outside John Peter Smith Hospital.

Schnable was 38-years-old, working as an employee of Sabre Airline Solutions the husband of Amanda Schnable for seven years when he passed.

"I was pretty confident the police would find out who did it," Schnable said. "It was just a matter of time."

Police tracked down Martinez after they received a tip from a woman in another state who was talking on a cell phone to a passenger in the suspect's truck.

"Mr. Martinez never made any effort to contact us," Lt. Sullivan said. "He didn't come forward."

Martinez was arrested at his parent's north side home.

"It's very sad that a moment of violence can lead to this," Schnable said. "It can change so many lives."

Schnable said she is moving to Austin after what she called a very painful year.

"It doesn't bring Kent back...," she said. "It's not easy on any level, I guess. You have to relive it [and] feel it all over again."

[TexasStooge]

Man held after flying over Bush's Crawford ranch

MCKINNEY, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - McKinney police have detained a man who secret agents say entered restricted airspace over President George W. Bush's ranch near Crawford.

Agents asked McKinney police to detain the pilot until they could reach him to ask questions.

The man - aged between 50 and 60 - was allegedly visiting his son in McKinney.

The incident took place early Thursday afternoon.

[TexasStooge]

Few answers one year after teacher vanishes

By MARY ANN RAZZUK / WFAA ABC 8

DENTON, Texas - The family of a Denton County woman who disappeared one year ago Thursday said they are no closer to finding her since her disappearance.

Katherine Lynn Stobaugh, 43, left her Sanger home last year and was never seen again. Authorities said she went to her estranged husband's home Dec. 29, 2004 to talk about divorce plans.

Denton County officials said the missing school teacher's husband told them she left his home in the evening and the next morning he discovered only her car in his driveway.

"Frustration, frustration," said brother Chris Munday. "I don't know what the deal is of just bringing somebody in, just questioning them or going to where they are and questioning them."

Munday said many people such as friends and neighbors have not been questioned by investigators.

However, Denton County officials said the file will be sent to a committee of retired statewide investigators in Austin who review cold cases.

"They go over all the information the police have gathered throughout the investigation to see if they can find something in the paperwork that somebody might have missed," Munday said.

Meanwhile, Munday and his family have asked the public for help in finding his missing sister through a website they set up for tips.

"It's not like a car accident where someone dies or someone dies of natural causes in the family," Munday said. "You know, you can put them to rest...You can't put this to rest."

Stobaugh's parents are offering a $60,000 reward and Denton County Crime Stoppers, 1-800-388-8477, is offering a $1,000 reward for information that helps authorities find her.

[TexasStooge]

Police seek identity of body found on rural road

GREENVILLE, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Hunt County authorities are trying to identify a woman found shot to death and dumped on a rural county road.

A motorist found the woman's body Wednesday morning a half mile off of Highway 34 located about three miles north of Greenville.

The sheriff told News 8 the woman was shot in the head with a high velocity handgun and appears to be between 40 and 50-years-old.

[TexasStooge]

Fort Worth thief steals $15,000 worth of beef

FORT WORTH, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) -- Police have a beef with a thief in Cowtown.

Fort Worth police say somebody broke into a refrigerated trailer and stole about $15,000 worth of beef.

The 16 cases of meat were meant for an upscale grocery store, Central Market, police said.

Lt. Dean Sullivan said the theft happened between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

A padlock was cut off the storage trailer, which was behind the store.

So far no arrests.

A store official also says the theft is under investigation.

[TexasStooge]

Area real estate had big year

By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - Buying, building and leasing – 2005 has been a big year for the local real estate market.

Low interest rates and rabid investor appetites fueled a boom the likes of which Big D hasn't seen since the 1980s.

Billions of dollars in commercial properties changed hands, and construction cranes have sprouted on everything from Uptown condos to suburban office space.

At the same time, the local housing market shows no sign of a slowdown. In fact, prices are inching up.

Sure, there are a few bugs on the windshield. Office vacancy rates remain stubbornly high, and worries about a housing bubble won't go away.

But the North Texas property market will start out the new year in the best shape in over a decade.

Now, if we just don't mess it up.


MICHAEL MULVEY/Dallas Morning News
Cranes dot the Dallas skyline as the Victory project starts to take shape near Downtown Dallas.

[TexasStooge]

District details hazing claims

Flower Mound: Sex assault, beatings at wrestlers' party among allegations

By BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News

For months, vocal supporters, parents and members of the Flower Mound High wrestling team have called allegations of hazing at an August pool party exaggerated accounts of boyhood roughhousing.

But documents recently released by the Lewisville school district paint a different picture – one of organized hazing, violent beatings and sexually charged actions.

The documents include statements from students and parents who were at the party and school officials who interviewed team members. The district marked out the names of the students and parents before releasing the documents requested by The Dallas Morning News through the open records act.

Criminal charges are pending against former coach Charles Zascavage and 18 students, including three juveniles who were charged with sexual assault.

One student said a boy sexually assaulted him in the pool, two administrators' statements say.

Assistant principal Paul Moon stated that one student reported seeing a group of boys gang up on a freshman whom another boy sexually assaulted "as the three others held the boy."

One student wrote that a sophomore was holding a boy in the pool from behind and making simulated sexual motions. The boy's face "was really red, and he was screaming," the statement said.

One student said a classmate was slapped on the bottom, had his crotch grabbed and was called a homophobe, according to the documents.

According to another statement, a student was held up by several boys as another boy spanked him and called him a homophobe.

In one statement, a parent standing on the raised patio overlooking the pool overheard someone say one of the injured boys would be able to "give it as good as he got it" next year. Mr. Zascavage and another person then laughed, the parent's statement says.

One student wrote that he saw a classmate cry and show Mr. Zascavage his back, which prompted the coach to tell the other students to "stop slapping so hard." The boys didn't comply, the statement says.

The statements also describe a gantlet where some boys were repeatedly punched or slapped as they were carried or restrained by their arms and legs. Several statements mentioned freshmen being struck in the head with a football, pounded with foam noodles or knocked into the pool, pile-driver style. Some students were forced to stay in the pool against their will and told to swim laps, the statements said.

"I was afraid to fight back because it seemed like the more you fought back – or cried – the more they beat you," one student wrote.

The statements indicate that some upperclassmen picked on certain freshmen more than others. The statements also allege that some older boys acted as lookouts, warning teammates when a parent approached the pool area.

One student's statement said that one boy screamed for his classmates to stop as a "big gang" beat him.

Several parents, team members and wrestling supporters have said that some of the accusers lied and have a hidden agenda. One of the accusers, some have said, was at another party later that day and seemed fine.

The school district sent the boys charged with misdemeanor hazing and assault to alternative school for at least 30 days and removed them from the wrestling team. Officials have since allowed some of the boys who completed their school punishments to rejoin the team. Three boys remain on suspension and are not eligible for reinstatement. Mr. Zascavage was relieved of his coaching duties but remains a teacher at the school.

No visible signs of action from the district attorney's office, though, have left some upset and skeptical about the strength of the charges against the boys and their coach.

"Everybody pretty much believes there's not much to go on," said Pam Akers, whose son is a junior wrestler who has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with the party.

Lee Ann Breading, first assistant district attorney for Denton County, said her office is actively investigating the incidents. She said her office needs time to review the wealth of information.

"It's a question of getting details that we didn't have," Ms. Breading said. "It's kind of a mess because there's so many people involved."

As the possibility of indictments looms, the teens at the center of the controversy have spent recent weeks trying to move on.

"I think they're doing well," school athletic coordinator Cody Vanderford said. "Kids are typically resilient."

Mr. Zascavage's replacement, Randy Means, is a former Marcus High wrestling coach who left teaching in 2003.

"They're very respectful of him," said Jennifer Stubbs, the mother of a freshman wrestler who said he was not hazed. "These are good kids. They wish they had their coach, but they're not negative toward the new coach. They know he was in an awkward situation."

In the days after the allegations were made public, Mr. Zascavage and district officials received several e-mails lauding the coach and crediting him with serving as an unparalleled role model for his students.

Mrs. Akers said having an experienced replacement has helped, though it's not what the boys ideally want.

"We're really fortunate that he stepped in to help, but they do miss Coach Z, and they're really bummed about what happened to him," she said.

She said the teens who were arrested are being victimized.

"Without being proven guilty of anything, they're being put through the ringer, and it's a real sad situation for them," Mrs. Akers said.

Others have accused district officials of not doing enough to ensure that the accusers weren't victimized again or ostracized after their teammates returned from alternative school.

Mary Alice McLarty is the attorney for one of the accusers and said her client had to withdraw from school because he was harassed by his teammates.

"It was a huge relief to get out of that environment," she said.

But Ms. McLarty said her client isn't the only one who has experienced backlash from wrestling supporters.

"I've had threatening e-mails, faxes and phone calls myself," she said.

Ms. Breading said the district attorney's office is expecting vocal responses, regardless of how it decides to handle the charges recommended by Flower Mound police.

"It's not going to be pleasant for anybody," Ms. Breading said.

Staff writer Jay Parsons contributed to this report.

[TexasStooge]

Art of luring young readers is assisted by graphic novels

Irving ISD: Schools' guest author employs device to draw pupils in

By KATHERINE LEAL UNMUTH / The Dallas Morning News

IRVING, Texas – Sometimes written words alone aren't enough to attract a student's attention. In those cases, teacher and artist Bill Fountain uses his passion for graphic novels to engage reluctant young readers.

As part of the guest author series in the Irving school district, Mr. Fountain has been conducting readings and workshops at middle and high schools on his newest work, a 24-page graphic-novel version of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven."

He drew comic-like images to accompany the work.

"I didn't change the words," he said. "I visually created a reaction to the poem. What I try to impress upon the kids is that my interpretation is just as important as yours."

Armed with a raven puppet, he regales kids at readings and performances. The students play the raven, which only says, "Nevermore."

In recent years, school libraries across the country have stocked up on such visual books in hopes of luring teens and later piquing their interest in more traditional novels. Nimitz High School, for example, has 386 graphic novels.

On a recent afternoon in the Nimitz library, Mr. Fountain led a workshop for seven students on how to create a novel. He advised them to draw from different perspectives and angles. He warned them about "static" that may interfere with their work – such as doubting their ideas and reacting too sensitively to criticism.

"What happens to a lot of us is we get an idea, and we say 'That's crazy,' " he said. "So we stop a lot of good ideas before they hit the hand."

As part of the school's project, literacy specialist Laurie Chamblee organized a contest in which students wrote story proposals.

Raymundo Martinez, 16, one of the contest winners, wrote about a cop who catches a killer.

"I like pictures," he said. "I don't mind reading as long as I've got something to look at."

Kim Norman, 17, the other contest winner, said her story is an Alice in Wonderland tale in which a girl falls into a hole that leads her into other worlds. Mr. Fountain complimented her on the bright use of colors and detail.

"I've been inspired to keep going," she said.


RANDY ELI GROTHE/Dallas Morning News
Bill Fountain, a teacher who did a graphic-novel version of Poe's 'The Raven,' is Irving schools' visiting author this year. He works with (from left) Norma Jean Smith, Jonathan Lewis, Micheal Jones and Robert Rodges.

[TexasStooge]

Katrina evacuees found dead at Grapevine apartment

GRAPEVINE, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - The bodies of three people who are believed to have died from gunshot wounds were found at a Grapevine apartment on Friday, according to police.

The discovery was made when officers were responding to a welfare check at 3101 Mustang Drive. Police had to force their way into the apartment.

The deceased persons appear to be from the same family and were hurricane Katrina evacuees from Louisiana.

They are a Hispanic male, 40, a Hispanic female, 37, and another Hispanic male, 16. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

[TexasStooge]

3-year-old boy shoots 6-year-old brother

GEORGETOWN, Texas (The Dallas Morning News/AP) - A 3-year-old boy accidentally shot his 6-year-old brother in the leg on Friday while they played at a hunting campsite, authorities said.

The older child was flown to Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, but his condition was not immediately known, said Detective John Foster with the Williamson County Sheriff's Department.

"It's in a bad part of the leg to be shot in so we're still waiting for word," Foster said, adding that he didn't know if the injury was life-threatening.

The 3-year-old was sitting on the ground when he pulled the trigger of a .22-caliber hunting rifle that was leaning against the four-wheeler his older brother was sitting on, Foster said.

He said the children were hunting with their father in a rural area northwest of Georgetown, which is about 25 miles north of Austin.

He declined to release the names of the father or his sons because the investigation was still in progress.

[TexasStooge]

Girl dies after being struck by SUV

FORT WORTH, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - An 8-year-old girl died late Thursday from injuries she suffered when an SUV struck her and a neighbor.

The Tarrant County medical examiner's office identified the girl as Kristen Fulkerson. She died of blunt force trauma, officials said.

The girl was struck around 4 p.m. as she and a neighbor attempted to cross the service road of Southwest Loop 820 near Hemphill.

The neighbor, whose name has not been released, is in critical condition at John Peter Smith Hospital, said Fort Worth Police Sgt. Rodney Bangs.

Police are still investigating.

[TexasStooge]

Teens hold vigil after Flower Mound wreck

By MARY ANN RAZZUK / WFAA ABC 8

FLOWER MOUND, Texas — Flower Mound police believe 14-year-old Drake Buchanan was speeding early Thursday morning when he lost control of the truck he was driving and smashed into a tree.

The truck exploded, and Drake died in the wreck. Four other young people who were in the truck—two boys and two girls—remained hospitalized Friday with serious injuries.

Friends and classmates of the victims held a vigil Friday night at the scene of the wreck in the 3700 block of Flower Mound Road.

"Drake's going to be missed, and that's an understatement," said one student as they prayed and cried together, leaving behind a pile of notes and mementoes.

"Shut your eyes, and I want you to think of something that reminds you of Drake—something funny, something fun," a student said during the impromptu memorial.

Margaret Lake, a parent who was attending the vigil, expressed a common concern about the safety of young people in her community. "When you're a parent and you've got a child that age, then you're right at the edge of the cliff of worrying about these kids," she said.

Some of the teens said they viewed Drake's death as a wake-up call. "We've got to take it in and learn," one said. "Stuff can happen at any given second."

Investigators said they would not file charges in the case because the teen took the vehicle without his parents' permission. They added that alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

[TexasStooge]

Impaired drivers can call on Wingman

By DAN RONAN / WFAA ABC 8

This New Year's weekend—with the Cotton Bowl and other annual festivities—bars and restaurants in North Texas will be packed.

Many will drink too much and will be tempted to drive, and hundreds of drivers will be stopped by police officers for suspected drunken driving.

Some will be charged with a crime; others will go to jail.

But designated drivers, taxis and a new service called Wingman could prevent an arrest—or a night that ends in tragedy.

The key element in Wingman's business is a tiny moped. When the dispatcher gets a call from the service area—which includes Dallas and nearby suburbs—a moped driver travels to the caller's location.

The foldable moped goes into the trunk of the caller's car, who is then driven home in his or her own vehicle.

"We've all had our friends that had a little too much to drink," said Wingman driver Clay Andrews. "You just treat them like a friend, you know—take care of them, and get them home safe."

For longer trips, an interceptor car drops the driver off and then picks him up.

Wingman charges $15 for each call plus $2 a mile. The service is a little more expensive than a one-way cab ride, but the next morning the client's car is safe in his driveway—not in a faraway parking lot.

"We have so many clients with families who need their cars in the morning with their kids," said Wingman's Brad Relander. "For us to get them home safely in their car is a big deal for them."

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has endorsed Wingman, saying anything that gets impared drivers off the road—especially around the holidays—is fine with them.

"We want families and friends to ring in the New Year with joy instead of hearing the ring of a telephone with tragedy on the other end," said MADD national president Glynn Birch. "Everyone must do their part to protect the roadways, save lives and prevent injuries by designating a sober driver or plan on other safe transportation."

Another easy and inexpensive way to get home safely after New Year's Eve revelry is to assign a designated driver, who pledges not to drink. Some restaurants and bars will even reward a designated driver with free non-alcoholic beverages.


WFAA ABC 8
Wingman sends a driver out on a tiny moped.