Category Archives: Traffic Safety Division

Charlie District, Traffic Safety Division

Five Vehicle Crash Disrupts Friday Morning Traffic On SPID

Occurred Friday, January 18, 2013, 7:32am, State Highway 358 at Weber Rd. Major vehicle crash C1300408

                A crash on the SPID freeway near Weber Road involved five vehicles and sent three people to the hospital Friday morning.

A 44-year-old man drove a black 2003 GMC Sierra pickup west on SPID and entered the freeway from Weber at about 7:30 Friday morning. The 44-year-old man crossed the solid white line and struck an unoccupied black 2008 Volkswagen Beetle which was parked between two solid white lines on the shoulder of the freeway. The Sierra pickup spun and struck a gray 2007 Ford Explorer on the freeway slow lane. The Explorer then struck a gray 2003 Chrysler Town & Country van which struck a red 2006 Dodge Charger. The Ford Explorer rolled onto its side and stopped on the freeway.

A 13-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl, and a 45-year-old woman were taken to the hospital by ambulance from the crash. The unoccupied VW Beetle was impounded. The 44-year-old man in the GMC Sierra was issued a citation for making an unsafe change from a direct course.

Bravo District, Traffic Safety Division

Man Charged with Intoxication Manslaughter

Dahlton Osborn
Dahlton Osborn

Occurred on 01/12/13, 12:40am Intoxication Manslaughter  11400 Gulf Beach Road  C1300278/1301120016

Police were called to Hwy 361 and Zahn Road for a traffic accident on the beach.  Upon their arrival, Officers were told by witnesses that a woman and a man had been struck by a red Dodge Ram pick-up truck.

According to witnesses, the driver Dahlton Osborn (07/16/93) had been driving recklessly on the beach and into the dunes when it struck the two pedestrians.

Both pedestrians were taken to Spohn Memorial by CCFD Emergency Personnel.  The 25-year-old woman had serious leg injuries and the 41-year-old man was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

The truck fled and was stopped by Officers with the Port Aransas Police Department shortly after the vehicle information was broadcast.

Osborn who appeared intoxicated was turned over to Officers with our Police Department.  He was administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a Breath Test.  He was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.

Osborn was charged with Intoxication Manslaughter with a Motor Vehicle, Intoxication Assault with a Motor Vehicle and two counts of Accident Involving Injury or Death.  His bond was set at 150,000.

Traffic Safety Division

Night Time Utility Work To Affect Staples Street Traffic

The City of Corpus Christi Traffic Engineering office advises citizens beginning Tuesday, January 15, 2013 between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. weather permitting; city contractors and American Electric Power (AEP) will be doing major utility work on Staples Street between Peerman Place and Hamlin Drive.

While this work is ongoing, this section of Staples Street will be closed to traffic.  Staples Street northbound traffic will be detoured onto eastbound Hamlin Drive, onto westbound Peerman Place to Staples Street.

Traffic control devices will guide motorists through the construction site.  While the work is underway, motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid the area if possible.  Motorists are also advised to observe all construction warning signs and barricades for their safety and that of construction crews.  Access to local driveways will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.

For more information, please contact Traffic Engineering at (361) 826-3547.

Traffic Safety Division

75 Year Old Woman Fatally Injured In Vehicle Crash On Ayers Street

Occurred Wednesday, January 09, 2013, 18:20, 3900 Ayers Street, Vehicle Crash with Fatal Injury

               A 75-year-old woman was fatally injured after she was hit by a car at the 3900 block of Ayers Street Wednesday night.

A 75-year-old woman walked east to cross Ayers Street at about 6:20pm Wednesday night. A 51-year-old man drove a 2003 Ford Taurus south on Ayers Street and passed through the intersection of Ayers and Roosevelt Drive.

The 75-year-old woman entered the street where there was not a crosswalk and the 51-year-old man said he did not see the woman. The 75-year-old woman was struck by the Ford Taurus and she did not survive the crash.

The 51-year-old man was the only occupant of the car and was not injured.

Corpus Christi Police Crash Investigators do not believe alcohol or speed were contributing factors to the crash. No citations have been issued and the investigation continues.

Corpus Christi Police stress the importance to be aware while driving and watch for pedestrians even in places where they should not be such as on the freeway. Pedestrians are urged to be watchful for traffic and expect not to be seen by motorists. Everyone is urged to take extra precautions, especially at night, in order to get to their destination safely.

Traffic Safety Division

Utility Work Will Affect Staples Street Traffic

The City of Corpus Christi Traffic Engineering office advises residents beginning on Friday, January 11, 2013, weather permitting; city contractors will shift southbound Staples Street traffic and reduce it to one lane in each direction; from the Moore Plaza entrance through the Williams Drive intersection.

The advance traffic control preparation will begin Thursday evening.

Traffic control devices will guide motorists through the construction site.  While the work is underway, motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid the area if possible.  Motorists are also advised to observe all construction warning signs and barricades for their safety and that of construction crews.  Access to local driveways will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.

For more information, please contact Traffic Engineering at 826-3547.

Charlie District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Man Jailed After Police Called for a Suspicious Vehicle

JoseGuadalupeAngelOccurred on 1/7/13, 10:22pm  Driving While Intoxicated    3800 S Staples   C1300166/1301070138

Police arrested a 22-year-old man after he was found to be driving while intoxicated as they investigated a one vehicle accident.  Officers arrived to find the driver of a Jeep Cherokee attempting to reverse out of a muddy construction zone.  Further investigation revealed, Jose Guadalupe Angel (12/12/90) was driving his gray Jeep Cherokee eastbound in the 3800 block of S. Staples Street when he traveled into the construction zone.  The Cherokee struck a steel barrier and became stuck.

Angel was administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests and a Blood Specimen was taken.  He was found to be intoxicated and booked at the City Detention Center.  Angel was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Possession of Marijuana when Officers found several cigars containing marijuana inside the Jeep.

He was also cited for Failure to Maintain a Single Lane, No Driver’s License, Expired Inspection Certificate, No Seatbelt~Driver, and Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility.  Angel was additionally cited for Possession of Fireworks when a pack of firecrackers was found.  Angel’s vehicle was also impounded.

Traffic Safety Division

City Road Closures Jan 4-11, 2013

5800 Block of Yorktown Boulevard (near the Staples Street intersection)

Wednesday through Wednesday

Contractors will reduce northbound Yorktown Boulevard to one lane of traffic at the 5800 block between 7:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.

New – Chaparral Street and Schatzell Street Intersection

Monday – Friday

The intersection of Chaparral Street and Schatzell Street will be closed to traffic.  Chaparral Street between Lawrence Street and Schatzell Street; and Schatzell Street between Water Street and Chaparral Street will be designated as a no through Traffic- Parking Only zone.  Motorists traveling on northbound Chaparral may detour onto eastbound Lawrence Street to Water Street; and the westbound traffic on Schatzell may detour onto Water Street.

McBride Lane (Between Leopard Street and IH-37 Eastbound Frontage Road)

Monday – Friday

James Street and Erin Drive:  Erin Drive will be closed at the McBride intersection.  Access to James Street and Erin Drive will be through the IH-37 frontage road, and both streets – James and Erin – will be closed to through traffic. 

McBride Lane:  McBride Lane will be closed to traffic between IH-37 frontage road and Hampshire Road.  Eastbound traffic on IH-37 frontage road will be detour onto to southbound Navigation Boulevard, onto westbound Leopard Street, to McBride Lane.   Traffic on McBride Lane will be detoured onto westbound Hampshire Road to South Padre Island Drive.

Sanitary Sewer Line Inspection and Cleaning

Tuesday

Beginning November 13, 2012, contractors will be doing Sanitary Sewer Line Inspection and Cleaning on various streets throughout the City to include Everhart Road, Gollihar Road, and Hugo Drive.  Expect various lane closures.

Kostoryz Road

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Northbound Kostoryz Road traffic will be shifted onto the southbound lanes between S.P.I.D. and Sunnybrook Road, and again shifted onto the northbound lanes approximately 500 feet past Sunnybrook. Traffic, on these two sections of Kostoryz Road, will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction.   In addition, traffic on eastbound McArdle Road will be shifted onto the westbound lane where traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction through the Kostoryz Road intersection.

Staples Street (Williams Street to Saratoga Boulevard)

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

New -The Wooldridge Road traffic will be shifted onto the westbound lanes and traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction through the Staples Street Intersection.

New – Bonner Drive and Cain Drive:  Beginning Wednesday, December 27, contractors will close either Bonner Drive or Cain Drive at the intersection of Staples Street.  When closed, detours will be through Burton Lane.

Staples Street will have the center lane closed to traffic with two lanes of traffic open in each direction beginning north of Wooldridge Road to Holly Road.

Staples Street traffic between Holly Road and Curtis Clark Drive will be shifted onto the northbound lanes and traffic reduced to one lane in each direction.

Sarazen Drive from Staples Street to Wooldridge Road

Saturday – Monday

Beginning December 17, 2012, contractors permit only inbound traffic to enter Sarazen from Staples Street.  Traffic exiting must head continue north on Sarazen and exit onto Wooldridge Road.

Rodd Field Road and Williams Drive

Saturday – Monday

Road work on Rodd Field Road at the Williams Drive intersection has been delayed until after the holiday season.  Work is scheduled to begin on January 2, 2013, weather permitting.  During the holiday season, No Left Turns onto Williams Drive from northbound Rodd Field Road will still be enforced.

Up River Road

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

The westbound traffic on Up River Road will be closed to traffic and the eastbound traffic will remain one-way traffic between Dunn-Meany Road and Dunn Lane.  In addition, Up River Road westbound traffic will be detoured onto southbound Dunn Lane, onto southbound Navigation Boulevard, onto the westbound IH-37 frontage road, onto northbound Dunn-Meany Road to Up River Road.

Bear Lane 

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Bear Lane will be closed to through traffic from approximately 200’ west of Flato Road to Fortune Drive.  In addition, Bear Lane will be closed from Green Point Drive to Old Brownsville Road, and on closed on Navigation Boulevard from Agnes Road to Old Brownsville Road.

Airline Road

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Traffic on Airline Road is closed to traffic between Wall Street and Rodd Field Road.  In addition, eastbound traffic on Lipes Boulevard and Slough Road will be closed between Giants Drive and Rodd Field Road.   Eastbound Lipes Boulevard traffic will be detoured north on to Giants Drive, and eastbound Wall Street traffic will be detoured northbound onto Airline Road.

Staples Street and Weber Road/Doddridge Street

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Beginning on Friday, November 2, 2012, and for approximately six weeks, weather permitting; City contractors will be doing road work on Staples Street between Weber Road/Doddridge Street intersection and Peerman Place. As this project is ongoing, southbound traffic on this section of Staples Street will be shifted onto the northbound lane and traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.  No left turns will be permitted onto Doddridge from Staples.

Charlie District, Traffic Safety Division

Utility Work Will Affect Greenwood Drive Traffic

The City of Corpus Christi Traffic Engineering office advises residents beginning Friday, January 4 and Monday, January 7, 2013, weather permitting; city contractors will be performing field investigations and roadway testing on Greenwood Drive between Gollihar Road and Horne Road.  During this period, either the northbound or southbound traffic on Greenwood will be reduced to one lane through the worksite.

Traffic control devices will guide motorists through the construction site.  While the work is underway, motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid the area if possible.  Motorists are also advised to observe all construction warning signs and barricades for their safety and that of construction crews.   Access to local driveways will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.

For more information, please contact Traffic Engineering at 826-3547.

Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Man Causes Crash At Staples & Kostroyz With Fatal Injury, Then Arrested For Intoxication Manslaughter

Intersection of Kostoryz and Staples by Google
Intersection of Kostoryz and Staples by Google

Occurred Monday, December 31, 2012, 5:47am, Staples St. at Kostoryz St. Intoxication Manslaughter, 1212310030

A 22-year-old man was arrested for intoxication manslaughter Monday morning after a single vehicle crash that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old man.

A black 2003 Kia Sorento was driven by 22-year-old Michael Valenzuela (10/18/1990) on Kostoryz Monday morning at about 5:45am. The Kia traveled north on Kostroyz to the Staples Street intersection and then conducted a left turn onto Staples Street. Valenzuela lost control of the vehicle and the Kia struck the curb on the right side of the roadway and then rolled. The Kia landed on the driver’s side.

A 22-year-old man was the rear passenger in the Kia and was ejected from the Kia. The 22-year-old passenger was not wearing a seat belt and was fatally injured. The two women passengers and Valenzuela were uninjured in the crash.

Corpus Christi Police investigated the crash and discovered Valenzuela was in possession of marijuana. Investigating officers believe speed was a contributing factor to the crash and also discovered evidence Valenzuela was intoxicated.

Police Officers took Valenzuela to Spohn Shoreline Hospital for a medical evaluation and to collect a specimen of his blood. Valenzuela was then delivered to the Corpus Christi city detention center.

Valenzuela was arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter (a second degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine) and for possession of marijuana (a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2,000 fine).

Traffic was disrupted in the intersection for about 2 hours.

Corpus Christi Police remind motorists that everyone in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt. Police also urge everyone to reduce the risk in traffic and have a driver that has not consumed alcohol.

Traffic Safety Division

City Road Closures For December 28-January 4

New – 5800 Block of Yorktown Boulevard (near the Staples Street intersection)

Wednesday through Wednesday

Contractors will reduce northbound Yorktown Boulevard to one lane of traffic at the 5800 block between 7:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.

Chaparral Street and Schatzell Street Intersection

Monday – Friday

On December 17, 2012, weather permitting; contractors will begin preparation for the city’s Chaparral Street Improvement Project.   As this phase is ongoing, crews will be placing traffic control signs and mobilizing materials.

North Beach Burleson Road between Surfside and Timon

Monday – Friday

Beginning December 3, 2012 through December 14, 2012, weather permitting; contractors will be doing sidewalk repairs on Burleson Street between Surfside Boulevard and Timon Boulevard.

McBride Lane (Between Leopard Street and IH-37 Eastbound Frontage Road)

Monday – Friday

James Street and Erin Drive:  Erin Drive will be closed at the McBride intersection.  Access to James Street and Erin Drive will be through the IH-37 frontage road, and both streets – James and Erin – will be closed to through traffic.

McBride Lane:  McBride Lane will be closed to traffic between IH-37 frontage road and Hampshire Road.  Eastbound traffic on IH-37 frontage road will be detour onto to southbound Navigation Boulevard, onto westbound Leopard Street, to McBride Lane.   Traffic on McBride Lane will be detoured onto westbound Hampshire Road to South Padre Island Drive.

Sanitary Sewer Line Inspection and Cleaning

Tuesday

Beginning November 13, 2012, contractors will be doing Sanitary Sewer Line Inspection and Cleaning on various streets throughout the City to include Everhart Road, Gollihar Road, and Hugo Drive.  Expect various lane closures.

Kostoryz Road

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Northbound Kostoryz Road traffic will be shifted onto the southbound lanes between S.P.I.D. and Sunnybrook Road, and again shifted onto the northbound lanes approximately 500 feet past Sunnybrook. Traffic, on these two section of Kostoryz Road, will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction.   In addition, traffic on eastbound McArdle Road will be shifted onto the westbound lane where traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction through the Kostoryz Road intersection.

New – Staples Street (Williams Street to Saratoga Boulevard)

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Wooldridge Road traffic will be shifted onto the westbound lanes and traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction through the Staples Street Intersection.

Staples Street will have the center lane closed to traffic with two lanes of traffic open in each direction beginning north of Wooldridge Road to Holly Road.

Staples Street traffic between Holly Road and Curtis Clark Drive will be shifted onto the northbound lanes and traffic reduced to one lane in each direction.

New – Sarazen Drive from Staples Street to Wooldridge Road

Saturday – Monday

Only inbound traffic is allowed to enter Sarazen Drive from Staples Street.  Traffic exiting must head north on Sarazen Drive and exit to Wooldridge Road.

New – Rodd Field Road and Williams Drive

Saturday – Monday

Road work on Rodd Field Road at the Williams Drive intersection has been delayed until after the holiday season.  Work is scheduled to begin on January 2, 2013, weather permitting.  During the holiday season, No Left Turns onto Williams Drive from northbound Rodd Field Road will still be enforced.

Up River Road

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

The westbound traffic on Up River Road will be closed to traffic and the eastbound traffic will remain one-way traffic between Dunn-Meany Road and Dunn Lane.  In addition, Up River Road westbound traffic will be detoured onto southbound Dunn Lane, onto southbound Navigation Boulevard, onto the westbound IH-37 frontage road, onto northbound Dunn-Meany Road to Up River Road.

Bear Lane 

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Bear Lane will be closed to through traffic from approximately 200’ west of Flato Road to Fortune Drive.  In addition, Bear Lane will be closed from Green Point Drive to Old Brownsville Road, and on closed on Navigation Boulevard from Agnes Road to Old Brownsville Road.

New – Airline Road

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Traffic on Airline Road is closed to traffic between Walls Street and Rodd Field Road.  In addition, Lipes Boulevard and Slough Road will be closed between Giants Drive and Road Field Road.  Eastbound Lipes traffic will be detoured onto northbound Giants Drive.

New – Staples Street and Weber Road/Doddridge Street

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Beginning on Friday, November 2, 2012, weather permitting; City contractors will be doing road work on Staples Street between Weber Road/Doddridge Street intersection and Peerman Place. As this project is ongoing, southbound traffic on this section of Staples Street will be shifted onto the northbound lane and traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.  New – No left turns will be permitted onto Doddridge Road from Staples Street.