KPD Investigates Fatal Crash
Officers responded to a 911 call of a vehicle crash at the intersection of Martin Luther King Blvd and Zephyr Rd. at 6:27 pm on Tuesday, September 30, 2014.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a black Ford Focus was stopped at the traffic light on Martin Luther King Blvd facing north in the left hand turn lane. The driver of a 2005 Yamaha motorcycle increased his speed as he approach the intersection traveling southbound on Martin Luther King Blvd. As the driver of the Ford Focus entered the intersection and began to turn left the driver of the motorcycle collided with the passenger side of the Ford Focus.
The victim, 25 year old, Jeffrey Chug Durrant, of Killeen, was pronounced deceased on scene by Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin at 6:55 pm. An autopsy has been ordered to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas.
The Traffic Unit continues to investigate this crash and more information will be released as it becomes available.
Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KPD Conducts Special Traffic Detail
The Killeen Police Department Special Operations Unit conducted a special enforcement operation on Thursday, September 26, 2014, in order to inform citizens of the actual law, 545.157 Passing Authorized Emergency Vehicle, and to increase the emphasis on the danger of traffic enforcement throughout the city.
The following violations occurred in the officer’s presence during the hours of 7:20am – 2:30pm, at four separate locations; the 6400 block of Trimmier, the 1500 block of Hwy 195, the 1900 block of East Elms and the 20000 block of South Hwy 195.
- 129 citations were issued for Improper passing
- 6 citations were issued for Fail to Display a Driver’s License
- 4 citations were issued for Fail to Maintain Financial Responsibility
- 6 citations were issued for Disregard TCD
- 1 citation was issued for Fail to Yield Right of Way Turning Left
- 1 citation was issued for Fail to Yield Right of Way to Emergency Vehicle
- 1 citation was issued for Stop/Stand/Parking
- 1 citation was issued for No Driver’s License
A total of 149 citations were issued for various violations.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KPD to Conduct Special Traffic Enforcement Detail
The Killeen Police Department Special Operations Unit will conduct a special traffic enforcement operation on Thursday, September 25, 2014, for violation of 545.157 Passing Authorized Emergency Vehicle.
The Texas State Law states – (a) on approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702, an operator, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall:
(1) Vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle when driving on a
highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the
emergency vehicle; or
(2) Slow to a speed not to exceed:
(A) 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, when the posted
speed limit is 25 miles per hour or more;
(B) Five miles an hour when the posted speed limit is less than 25 miles
per hour.
(b) a violation of this section is:
(1) a misdemeanor punishable under Section 542.401
(2) a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500 if the violation results
in property damage: or
(3) a Class B misdemeanor if the violation results in bodily injury.
(c) if conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an
offense under section of this code or the Penal Cove, the actor may be
prosecuted under either section or under both sections.
This special enforcement operation is conducted to inform motorists of the actual law and to increase the emphasis on the danger of traffic enforcement throughout the city. Police Officers are at risk on a daily basis when they enforce traffic laws; officers are not only seriously injured but also killed due to the driver’s inattentiveness.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KPD Investigates Fatal Crash on 38th Street
The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating a fatal crash in the 500 block of N. 38th St.
Officers responded to a report of a motorcycle crash with serious injuries in the 500 block of N. 38th St. on Saturday, September 20, 2014, at approximately 8:30pm. Upon the officers arrival they located the male motorcycle rider who was seriously injured.
The preliminary report revealed that a blue 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, with two occupants, was southbound on 38th St. attempting to turn left into the Killeen High School student parking lot. A black 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling northbound in the outside lane on 38th St. The 17 year old female driver of the PT Cruiser failed to yield the right of way – turning left, and pulled in front of the motorcycle. The motorcycle rider laid the motorcycle down and then struck the side of the PT Cruiser. The motorcycle rider was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries; he was pronounced deceased by medical authorities at 9:11pm. The driver and the occupant in the PT Cruiser were unharmed.
The name of the 23 year old victim, a Fort Hood soldier, has been withheld until the notification of his next of kin has been made.
This crash continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KPD Is Asking For Assistance In Identifying Thief
Killeen Police need your help identifying a female suspect who used a debit card that was stolen from a vehicle.
Officers filed a report for a burglary of a vehicle that occurred between 5:00 pm and 10:30 pm, on Thursday, August 7, 2014, in 1100 block of S. Fort Hood St. Officers were told by the victim that while she was working someone broke out the passenger side window of her white, 2004 Chevy Impala. The victim noticed that her debit card and other items were missing and when the victim contacted her bank they told her that her debit card had already been used.
Detectives provided security video of the suspect using the stolen debit card. The suspect is a light skinned black female wearing a black ball cap with white lettering on it, a black t-shirt and blue jean shorts.
Detectives are asking anyone can identify this suspect or has information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477), go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with their tip to 274637. Text HELP for help with the tip or text STOP to stop the tip, message and data rates may apply. All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip results in the arrest of the suspect involved in this crime you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KPD Participates in the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program
The Killeen Police Department is participating in the DEA Drug Take-Back Initiative that allows for collection of medications that are no longer needed or wanted. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.
Starting on Monday, September 22nd and continuing through the weekend until Monday morning, September 29, 2014, citizens will be able to leave unwanted drugs with the Desk Officer on duty in the lobby of the Killeen Police Department Headquarters located at 3304 Community Blvd or the Desk Officer on duty at the North Precinct located at 402 N. 2nd St. The DEA will later collect these items for proper disposal.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal. It is important for our citizens to remember that you should not flush unwanted prescription drugs down the toilet, put them in the trash or leave the unwanted medications where others might reach them.
We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted, unused prescription drugs.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police End Seven Hour Standoff Without Incident.
Officers attempted stop a vehicle that was occupied by a man who had outstanding felony warrants, on Wednesday, September 17, 2017 at 10:50 am. The white male driving the red Chevy pickup truck refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The suspect led officers on a short pursuit and when he brought the truck to a stop he fled on foot, running into a house located at 1011 Cedar Dr. It was determined that this Chevy Silverado pickup had recently been report stolen. Officers shut down Pine and Cedar Dr. in order to secure the area. A short time after the suspect entered the residence; a 28 year old female was detained.
The Killeen Police Department Tactical Response Unit was deployed to the residence at 11:20am. The team attempted to negotiate with the male for several hours, advising him to surrender, however he continued to ignore their commands. Chemical munitions were eventually deployed into the residence and there was still no contact with the suspect. Officers had reason to believe the suspect was still inside the residence and at approximately 5:30pm, the officers began negotiations with the suspect who was hiding under the house. More chemical munitions were deployed, which encouraged the suspect to surrender; he was taken into custody without incident at 6:31 pm.
Travis Lee Leighton, a 27 year old male, was taken into custody for numerous outstanding warrants to include a Felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a prior drug related conviction.
The 28 year old female who was detained was then arrested and charged with Hindering Apprehension. Her name has been withheld pending the return of formal charges by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday, September 18, 2014.
This case continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.
Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KPD Needs Community’s Help Identifying Robbery Suspects
The Killeen Police Department is asking for the community’s help identifying three suspects in an aggravated robbery.
Officers responded to the KBS Food Mart, located at 3000 Old FM 440, at 11:57 pm on Friday, August 22, 2014, in reference to a robbery that had just occurred. Upon the officer’s arrival, they spoke with an employee who told them that three black males came into the store, one of the males held the employee at gun point while the other two took several cartons of cigarettes and cigarillos as well as an undisclosed amount of cash.
Detectives are asking anyone who can identify these suspects or has information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477), go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with their tip to 274637. Text HELP for help with the tip or text STOP to stop the tip, message and data rates may apply. All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip results in the arrest of the suspect involved in this crime you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.
Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Turkey Trot Shooting Update
Killeen Police investigate an afternoon shooting on Turkey Trot Road.
Officers responded to 690 Turkey Trot today, September 5, 2014 at 2:03pm, after receiving a 911 call telling them a man had just been shot outside the residence. Upon the officers arrival they located a 41 year old male inside a white Buick LeSabre suffering from a gunshot wound to the face and another male outside the vehicle. The victim was immediately transported by ambulance to the Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, in critical condition.
The officers were told that two males were involved in a verbal altercation outside the residence, at some point during the argument a weapon was displayed and the victim was shot. After further investigation the 40 year old suspect and resident, was taken into custody and transported to the Killeen City Jail.
UDPATE – September 6, 2014
The victim of the shooting, Danny Mac Carruthers, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Scott & White Memorial Hospital at approximately 3:30am.
John Hyon Dust
This case was reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and a complaint was returned charging John Hyon Dust with Manslaughter. He is currently in the Killeen City Jail awaiting arraignment on Sunday, September 7, 2014.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate an afternoon shooting on Turkey Trot Road
Officers responded to 690 Turkey Trot after receiving a 911 call telling them a man had just been shot outside the residence. Upon the officers arrival they located a 40 year old male inside a white Buick LeSabre suffering from a gunshot wound to the face and another male outside the vehicle. The victim was immediately transported by ambulance to the Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, in critical condition.
The officers were told that two males were involved in a verbal altercation outside the residence, at some point during the argument a weapon was displayed and the victim was shot. After further investigation the 40 year old suspect and resident, was taken into custody and transported to the Killeen City Jail.
The name of the victim has been withheld due to the extent of his injuries and the name of the suspect has been withheld until formal charges are returned by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office.
Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit continue to investigate this incident and information will be released as it becomes available.
Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KilleenPD News 