Killeen, TX (September 1, 2023): This holiday weekend between September 1, 2023, and September 4, 2023, as part of a statewide campaign, Killeen Police officers will focus on locating and arresting impaired drivers. Officers will concentrate their efforts on DWI patrols in high-risk sites and at times when impaired drivers are on the roadways causing an increased potential for alcohol-related crashes involving injuries or deaths.

The Texas Department of Public Safety encourages drivers to follow these safety tips:

• Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you are consuming alcohol.
• Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped on the side of the road.
• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
• Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones. Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.
• Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges.
• On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted).
• Don’t cut in front of large trucks and try not to brake quickly in front of them. They can’t maneuver as easily as passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.
• Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. Leaving vehicles in a traffic lane increases traffic congestion and leaves those involved with an increased risk of harm or a secondary wreck. On some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, it’s against the law.
• Keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number stored in your phone. Dial 1-800-525-5555 for any type of assistance. The number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License.
• Check your vehicle to make sure it is properly maintained and always ensure your cargo is secure.
• Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.
• Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas.

If you see a driver you believe to be impaired or driving recklessly, please call 911 with the vehicle’s description, direction of travel and license plate number, if possible.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (July 10, 2023): A 23-year-old male is currently in jail after assaulting a male victim with a vehicle.

On Friday, July 07, 2023, at approximately 2:41 p.m., Killeen Police officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Williamson Avenue in reference to a welfare concern. Upon the officer’s arrival, they made contact with the victim and his mother, who advised them that he had not heard from his 7-year-old son in seven days and believed the child was at this location.

As officers conducted their investigation with the victim and the child’s mother, Gabriel Ayala arrived at the residence in a Ford Expedition and exited the vehicle. During the course of the investigation, Ayala returned to the vehicle and left. When officers heard the sound of an engine revving behind them, they observed Ayala drive the Expedition on the grass towards them and the victim and a female citizen. The vehicle missed the officers and the victim’s mother as they jumped out of the way but struck the victim. The victim was treated and released at the scene with no serious injuries.

The suspect then drove off and officers initiated a short pursuit. The suspect led officers back to the residence, and a felony stop was conducted, where he taken into custody and transported to the Killeen City Jail. A female family member of the suspect was also arrested for misdemeanor charges.

The case was presented to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office for review and on Saturday, July 8, 2023, three felony complaints were returned charging Gabriel Nicholas Ayala with Evading Arrest/Detention with a Vehicle, Aggravated Assault Against a Public Servant and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly. Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson arraigned Ayala and set his bond at $100,000 for each Aggravated Assault and $20,000 for the Evading charge. Ayala is currently in the Bell County Jail.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (June 23, 2023): The Killeen Police Department will participate in a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) over the Independence Day Holiday.

This Fourth of July, the department will have additional patrol officers whose primary focus will be to locate and arrest impaired drivers. During this time, there is a higher likelihood of impaired drivers on the roadways, causing an increased potential for alcohol-related crashes involving injuries or deaths The enforcement period will occur between Friday, June 23, 2023, and Sunday, July 9, 2023. During this time, the participating officers will concentrate their efforts on Driving While Intoxicated enforcement at times when impaired driving is most likely to occur.

The Department participates in the program by means of a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

• In 2021, 538 people died in motor vehicle crashes over the Fourth of July holiday period (6 p.m. July 2 – 5:59 a.m. July 6, 2021). Thirty-nine percent (212) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
• From 2017 to 2021, there were 1,460 drivers killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the 4th of July holiday period. Thirty-eight percent (552) of the drivers killed during those years were alcohol-impaired (with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), and nearly half (44%) of the drivers killed aged 21-34 were drunk.

The Killeen Police Department and TxDOT encourage people to “Plan While You Can” to avoid the consequences of impaired driving. A person’s abilities, decision-making skills, and judgment can diminish while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Consider using a taxi or car service, a designated driver, or public transportation as an alternative to driving after drinking.

If you see a suspected drunk driver, and you (or a passenger) can do so safely, please call 9-1-1 with the information.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department