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DPS

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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Ex-Texas DPS trooper accused of sexually assaulting 2 women during traffic stops

Lee Boykin, 32, is accused of sexually assaulting two separate victims while on duty, officials said. HOUSTON – A former Texas trooper faces federal charges after being accused of sexually assaulting two women in the Houston area while he was on duty, prosecutors announced Wednesday. He faces three federal charges: deprivation of rights under color of law; destruction of records; and using a firearm in a violent crime. AdIf convicted of the federal charges, Boykin faces up to life in prison. Troopers and police officers in other states in recent years have also been charged with or convicted of sexually assaulting women during traffic stops or while on duty.

8 undocumented persons killed in head-on collision in Val Verde County, officials say

According to the Department of Public Safety, the fatal crash happened at 1:26 p.m. Monday and nearly 30 miles north of Del Rio. Officials say that DPS troopers were chasing a red pickup truck on US 277 when it collided with a white Ford F-150. “Due to injuries sustained, eight undocumented passengers from the Dodge pickup were pronounced deceased on scene,” The Department of Public Safety told KSAT. AdOriginal:Eight people are dead after a head-on collision in Val Verde County, according to Texas Department of Public Safety officials. DPS officials said a trooper was in pursuit of a red Dodge Ram pickup truck when the truck collided head-on with a white Ford F-150.

She answered honestly about mental health. Then the state revoked her driver’s license.

LEON VALLEY, Texas – Kathy Francis said her troubles with the Department of Public Safety started in March 2019, while applying to renew her driver’s license. The couple lives in rural Bandera County, meaning it made sense during a trip to town to stop by the driver’s license mega center on Huebner Road, in Leon Valley. Francis disclosed a bipolar disorder diagnosis on her March 2019 application to renew her driver's license. AdIt is unclear whether writing down PTSD on the application would have caused the state to flag Francis’ application. Francis' wife Kari has been forced to become her driver, after the state revoked Francis' license in September.

Not child’s play: Chucky featured in errant Amber Alert from Texas DPS

An DPS alert was mistakenly sent out three times last week to Amber Alert subscribers. SAN ANTONIO – Rest assured, “Chucky” is not on the loose. The Texas Department of Public Safety has apologized after mistakenly issuing an Amber Alert that said the killer doll featured in the 1988 horror film “Child's Play” was a suspect in the kidnapping of his 5-year-old son, Glen Ray, who was featured in “Seed of Chucky.”The emergency alert described Chucky as a 3-foot, 1-inch-tall (0.9-meter-tall) doll wearing “blue denim overalls with multi-colored striped long sleeve shirt wielding a huge kitchen knife.”The alert was mistakenly sent out three times last week to Amber Alert subscribers. The agency said it was a test malfunction.

Man critically wounded after chase ends in shooting on city’s Southwest Side

SAN ANTONIO – A 46-year-old man led law enforcement officers on a chase in Atascosa and Bexar counties Tuesday morning before he was shot near an elementary school, officials said. The man was taken to a hospital in critical condition, said Deputy Johnny Garcia, a Bexar County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. As the pickup approached Interstate 37 and Highway 97, the driver shot at officers, Soward said. None of the law enforcement officers were injured. Allen will remain under lockdown for several more hours as law enforcement process the scene.

2 San Antonio teens who were visiting beach among 6 killed in ‘horrific’ head-on crash on I-37 in South Texas

Two teens from San Antonio were killed following a crash on Interstate 37 near Mathis on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2021. SAN ANTONIO – Two teens from San Antonio who were visiting the coast were killed following a “horrific” crash that left six people dead in South Texas on Saturday. A passenger in the minivan, identified as Trent Ryan Edge from San Antonio, was pronounced dead at the scene. Helena Paige-Marie Dumas of San Antonio was pronounced dead on Saturday night after her family took her off life support, Sgt. San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera called the crash “horrific,” saying the scene will “forever be engraved” in the minds of first responders.

Waiver for expired driver’s licenses, ID cards to end in April 2021

If you get a new driver’s license, identification card or license to carry card in the state of Texas, you may notice a new design. AUSTIN, Texas – The waiver on expiration dates for driver’s licenses and identification cards that has been in effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic will end April 14, 2021, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Tuesday. Greg Abbott in March, applied to driver’s licenses, commercial driver’s licenses, commercial learner permits, ID cards and election identification certificates that expired on or after March 13, 2020. DPS is offering extended office hours at participating driver’s license offices across the state, including two in San Antonio and one in New Braunfels. The longer office hours were implemented to help customers still needing services due to the COVID-19 driver license office closures in 2020.

Law enforcement searching for Texas State student who disappeared after crash near Luling

LULING, Texas – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is continuing their search for a Texas State student who disappeared following a car crash near Luling, Texas. According to a department spokesperson, the crash happened at around midnight Monday morning. Law enforcement officers found a crashed vehicle near Salt Flat Road north of Interstate 10, but do not know how the incident occurred. Officials are still trying to locate the victim who they believe may be Jason David Landry, 21, a Texas State University student. A university spokesperson confirmed that DPS would be handling the case.

Gun allegedly used in Whataburger shooting found by divers in River Walk, SAPD says

SAN ANTONIO – A gun that was allegedly used during a shooting at the downtown Whataburger last week was recovered by divers in the River Walk portion of the San Antonio River on Thursday. San Antonio police said divers from the Texas Department of Public Safety located the weapon in the water near East Commerce Street and Losoya Street. The suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Pedro Ortega, tossed the weapon into the river as downtown bike patrol officers chased him, police said. (KSAT)No injuries were reported in the shooting that occurred Friday night in the 400 block of East Commerce Street. The shooting happened Friday night in downtown San Antonio, on E. Commerce and Losoya Streets.

Suspected human smuggler leads law enforcement agencies on multi-county chase

A multi-county vehicle chase involving suspected undocumented immigrants ended in a crash Thursday at a southwest Bexar County gas station, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. At around 8 a.m., Frio County law enforcement authorities, believing it was human trafficking, attempted to stop a truck with several male occupants inside, DPS said. At some point, DPS troopers joined in on the pursuit that ended in a crash at an Exxon gas station near the Loop 1604 and I-35 interchange. According to DPS, the truck knocked over a gas pump, resulting in a fire under the vehicle. Inside the truck, officials found seven adult males, who are all believed to be undocumented, DPS Sgt.

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Waiver still in effect for expired CDL and driver’s licenses

Texas – The Texas Department of Public Safety is reminding Texans that Texas IDs, driver’s licenses, CDLs and election identification certificate cards that expired on or after March 13 are still covered by Gov. Greg Abbott waived expiration dates for driver’s licenses in March and that extension remains in effect. Currently, DPS offices are accepting appointments for renewals and replacements only of CDLs, DLs, and IDs. If you have an expired driver’s license, you can download and print a copy of the Verification of Driver License Expiration Extension to carry until your license is officially up to date. DPS officials said a limited number of same-day appointments are available at select driver’s license offices on a first-come, first-served basis.

Alamo Colleges police officer dies from COVID-19, officials say

SAN ANTONIO – A second Alamo Colleges District employee has died from the coronavirus, according to officials. DPS Officer Jose Buso has succumbed to the virus, as announced by officials on Friday. It is with a heavy heart that we share the reported passing of Alamo Colleges Police Officer Jose A. Buso from COVID-19.... Posted by Alamo Colleges Police Department on Friday, September 25, 2020Buso was assigned to the Patrol Division, where he became certified as a bicycle patrol officer and helped ensure the safety and welfare of students and staff at the college, according to officials. Before Buso joined Alamo Colleges, he was a deputy in the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. RELATED: Most Alamo Colleges students will learn remotely, according to fall plan

CLEAR Alert discontinued for 19-year-old woman in Bayou Vista

BAYOU VISTA, Texas – Update:The CLEAR Alert issued for 19-year-old Grace Elizabeth Townley has been discontinued, as of Friday. Original:The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a CLEAR Alert for 19-year-old Grace Elizabeth Townley. Townley was last seen around 1 a.m. in the 200 block of Barracuda Street in Bayou Vista, Texas near Galveston. Related:Do you know what a CLEAR Alert is? San Antonio police search for man who was last seen on Northeast Side; CLEAR Alert issuedDPS unveils new alert system to help find missing adults

DPS driver license offices to offer Saturday appointments

AUSTIN, Texas – If you need to get your driver license renewed or replaced but don’t have the time during the week, the Texas Department of Public Safety will begin offering Saturday appointments. Many driver license offices will now be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, beginning Oct. 3, and continue each Saturday through Dec. 19, with the exception of Nov. 28, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The appointments are only for customers who need to renew or replace their Texas driver license or ID card only. The announcement comes as the department continues its work to help alleviate the backlog caused by COVID-19. Nearly 700,000 people statewide had their driver license or ID cards expire while drivers license offices were closed due to the pandemic.

Driver’s license expired? Download this document in case you get pulled over

Texas – The Texas Department of Public Safety has reopened for appointment only amid the coronavirus pandemic but some people are still wondering about their expired driver’s license. A KSAT viewer sent an email stating that he was given a ticket on Tuesday for having an expired license during a traffic stop. As part of Texas' disaster declaration, Gov. If you have an expired driver’s license, you can download and print a copy of the Verification of Driver License Expiration Extension to carry until your license is officially up to date. All current driver’s license services at DPS are by appointment only.

Boy, 12, dies in Southeast Texas after golf cart rolls over

MAGNOLIA, Texas – A 12-year-old boy was killed over the weekend when the golf cart he was riding in rolled onto its side on a Southeast Texas road, authorities said. Erik Burse said Tuesday that a 16-year-old girl was driving the golf cart Sunday evening in neighborhood near Magnolia when she made an abrupt turn that caused it to roll onto its side. Burse said the 12-year-old and the 16-year-old were the only two occupants of the golf cart. He said the boy was pronounced dead at a hospital and that the girl was treated and released. Magnolia is located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Houston.

Jailed man charged in woman’s 2003 strangling in West Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – A man has been charged in the 2003 strangling of a woman whose body was found on a rural road in West Texas, authorities said Friday. A recent alert from a DNA database led the Texas Rangers and Lubbock County sheriff's office to focus their attention on Castillo, the DPS said. Palacio's partially clothed body was found in July 2003 in southeastern Lubbock County. Carbajal was found strangled and with blunt force injuries on a rural road in northern Lubbock County. Castillo was being held Friday in McLennan County Jail on more than $1 million in bond.

Man faces slew of charges following lengthy car chase through San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO – A man who authorities say led an hour-long chase throughout Bexar County on Tuesday is facing a bevy of charges following his arrest. Wild Video: Man leads BCSO, DPS on lengthy car chase through South San Antonio before he bails, gets arrestedAuthorities tried to stop him when BCSO received reports of a reckless driver. Booking records show Fowler was charged with unauthorized use of vehicle and evading arrest. DPS took over the pursuit at the time, and Quiroga led troopers through several neighborhoods in the Roosevelt Road area. Online jail records show Quiroga has previously been charged with theft in 2010 and 2013, unauthorized use of a vehicle in 2017 and forgery in 2018.

Expired driver’s license? Texas DPS now taking appointments for renewals, replacements

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety announced Tuesday it is continuing the phased reopening of driver’s license offices by offering appointments for renewals and replacements in offices across the state. DPS gave an extension for Texas driver’s license expiration dates which was granted in response to COVID-19 remains and remains in effect. “Customers who book these appointments can leave the driver’s license office until their designated appointment time,” DPS said in a press release. More from KSAT on driver’s license renewals:Do you have a star on the top of your driver’s license? You now have until October 2021 to get itTexas driver’s license offices will reopen with limited services starting next weekTexas Gov.

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 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. Understand: Real ID Act and what it means for youThe new cards are made out of polycarbonate material, which officials say is more tamper-resistant and harder to reproduce.

Troopers stop wanted man by shooting out his tires on Highway 16, DPS says

Troopers stopped a wanted man by shooting out the tires on his truck Wednesday. The incident happened on Highway 16 near the Bexar-Atascosa county line. He was told to be on the lookout for the man, who was wanted on a felony warrant, Texas Department of Public Safety officials said. The trooper spotted the man and initiated a traffic stop, but the man didn't stop. DPS says troopers fired two rounds at the tires of the vehicle the man was driving, forcing him to stop.

Men impersonate police, try to access Phoenix airfield

Two men have been arrested for allegedly impersonating DPS troopers to attempt to enter the airfield at Sky Harbor International Airport. PHOENIX - Two men have been arrested for allegedly impersonating DPS troopers to attempt to enter the airfield at Sky Harbor International Airport. According to court paperwork, around 10 p.m. on October 21, two men followed a Phoenix police vehicle "through a secured gate and onto the airfield area" at Sky Harbor. Phoenix police have since said that the men did not actually enter the airfield but were stopped in a secured area beforehand. A spokesperson for Sky Harbor provided the following statement regarding airport security:"Sky Harbor has multiple layers of security.

Drunken driver rear-ends DPS vehicle, runs into ATM

SAN ANTONIO - A man is facing driving while intoxicated charges after hitting a DPS trooper's vehicle from behind and trying to drive away, according to police. Officers responded to the scene at the corner of East Southcross and Clark streets around 10:45 p.m. Saturday. They say the driver of a pickup truck rear-ended the trooper's vehicle, then tried to drive away. Police tested the man for driving while intoxicated, and said he showed signs of impairment. He could also face charges for attempting to drive away.