Killeen, TX (April 25, 2021): A 29-year-old male is deceased from a motorcycle crash.

On April 24, 2021 at approximately 7:32 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Cody Poe Road and Armadillo Street in reference to a crash involving a motorcycle.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a black Suzuki motorcycle was traveling southbound in the 2600 block of Cody Poe Road when a gray Toyota Camry entered the roadway from a residence, the motorcycle collided with the Toyota.  The driver of the Toyota was transported to Baylor Scott and White in serious condition. 

The driver of the motorcycle, Landis Watson, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson at 8:14 p.m. on scene.

The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit continues to investigate this fatality and at this time no other information will be released.

Killeen, TX (April 19, 2021): 52-year-old Michael Howard Havekost is still considered missing and the Havekost Family and detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, once again are asking for the public’s assistance in locating their missing family member who was last seen on September 4, 2020.

Family members of Michael reported to officers on September 14, 2020 that they had not heard from him in a week and knew he was staying at the Days Inn located at 6200 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Killeen. Michael is 5’8” tall, weighs 160 pounds, bald or very short blond hair, and has hazel eyes. He also wears prescription glasses and wears hearing aids.

The department is asking anyone who sees Michael Havekost or knows of his whereabouts to contact the Killeen Police Department at (254) 501-8800 or in the event he is somewhere other than Killeen to contact the local law enforcement agency.

You can also contact the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com. You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS or Android and give an anonymous tip. All information is confidential and anonymous.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (April 16, 2021) 4:00 p.m.: The driver in this fatal crash has been identified as Julianna Rae Allen.  

This investigation is ongoing and at this time no other information will be released.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE AN EARLY MORNING CRASH FATALITY

Killeen, TX (April 16, 2021): An 18-year-old female is deceased from a single vehicle crash.   

On Friday, April 16, 2021, at approximately 3:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to IH-14 westbound in reference to a 911 call about a major crash.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a white in color sedan on its roof and on fire.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver, single occupant, was distracted by her cell phone while driving westbound on IH -14 near mile marker 285. The driver failed to maintain a single marked lane, leaving the roadway while sliding sideways. The vehicle’s wheels began to dig into the wet ground, eventually causing the vehicle to roll to the driver’s side and striking the “Welcome to Killeen” sign and landscape.

The driver of the vehicle succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke at 5:26 a.m.

The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification next of kin.

We’d like to remind everyone to make safer choices while behind the wheel. “It Can Wait”. 

The investigation is ongoing and at this time no other information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (April 16, 2021): An 18-year-old female is deceased from a single vehicle crash.   

On Friday, April 16, 2021, at approximately 3:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to IH-14 westbound in reference to a 911 call about a major crash.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a white in color sedan on its roof and on fire.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver, single occupant, was distracted by her cell phone while driving westbound on IH -14 near mile marker 285. The driver failed to maintain a single marked lane, leaving the roadway while sliding sideways. The vehicle’s wheels began to dig into the wet ground, eventually causing the vehicle to roll to the driver’s side and striking the “Welcome to Killeen” sign and landscape.

The driver of the vehicle succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke at 5:26 a.m.

The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification next of kin.

We’d like to remind everyone to make safer choices while behind the wheel. “It Can Wait”. 

The investigation is ongoing and at this time no other information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (April 14, 2021): A 24-year-old female is deceased when she fell out of a moving vehicle.

On Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at approximately 12:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection S. Fort Hood Street and Stefek Drive in reference to a body lying in the roadway. Upon the officers’ arrival, paramedics were on scene performing life saving measures on the female suffering from a head injury.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle, a silver Nissan SUV, driven by a female driver, was traveling eastbound on Stefek Drive when the passenger, who was sitting in the back seat, apparently opened the door and exited the vehicle while in motion. The driver of the vehicle came to a stop on the side of the road and was uninjured.

The victim, Jessica Garcia, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke at 1:46 p.m. He ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas.

The investigation is ongoing and at this time no other information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (April 8, 2021): A former Killeen Police Officer turned himself in to the Bell County Jail on April 1, 2021 after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman who set his bond at $100,000.

The indictment stems from an investigation conducted by the Killeen Police Department Special Victims Unit when a female victim reported to detectives on June 22, 2019, that Edgar Diaz-Casillas had made unwanted sexual advances to her while acting under color of his employment as a public servant, namely, a Killeen Police Officer. Per protocol, Diaz-Casillas was placed on Administrative Leave with Pay.

An Internal Affairs Investigation was conducted and as a result, Diaz-Casillas, a three-year veteran, was indefinitely suspended on February 11, 2021, for code of conduct violations, dishonesty, lack of integrity and untruthfulness on multiple occasions.

This case was reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and on March 31, 2021, an indictment was issued by the Bell County Grand Jury charging Edgar Diaz-Casillas with Official Oppression.

Because this investigation is ongoing, and a civil service appeal is pending, there is no further information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department