Category Archives: Traffic Safety Division

Adam District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Corpus Christi Participates In Mock Contraflow Exercise

The Corpus Christi Police Department will participate with the Texas Department of Public Safety in an exercise Thursday to practice the state Contraflow hurricane evacuation plan along Interstate 37 between Corpus Christi and San Antonio.

The Texas Department of Transportation has partnered with the law enforcement agencies to conduct a mock Contraflow exercise to prepare for hurricane season. The Contraflow plan is that southbound lanes of Interstate Highway 37 would be reversed to carry two lanes of traffic northbound from Corpus Christi to San Antonio to help move people from Corpus Christi to San Antonio out of harm’s way during a large scale evacuation.

Transportation and law enforcement agencies will stage barricades for the mock exercise at the entrance and exit ramps along Interstate 37 in Nueces, San Patricio, Live Oak, Atascosa, and Bexar counties. The exercise is expected to begin at 8:00am and end around noon. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers will drive south to perform mock flushing of southbound traffic to clear Interstate 37 for contraflow traffic. Law enforcement is assigned to direct motorists to keep traffic flow moving. TxDOT and D.P.S. do not anticipate any disruption of traffic during the exercise.

All participants will meet at the TxDOT Corpus Christi District Office Thursday afternoon for a post-exercise review.

Contraflow will be considered only when the Corpus Christi area is threatened by a major hurricane and mandatory evacuations are issued. A decision to reverse I-37 will be made by local authorities working with the District Disaster Chairman (i.e., DPS) based on the strength of the storm and projected landfall.

The 2012 hurricane season will begin June 1 and extends to November 30. The public may view the contraflow brochures on the Texas Department of Transportation website at www.txdot.gov.

Charlie District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Woman Fatally Injured In Parking Lot Crash

Occurred Sunday, May 13, 2012, 9:30am, 1821 S. Padre Island Dr. vehicle crash C1203685

A 45-year-old woman was fatally injured after she fell out of a vehicle Sunday morning in a shopping center parking lot at the 1800 block of South Padre Island Drive.

A 46-year-old man drove a blue 1978 Chevy van with the 45-year-old woman inside. The 45-year-old woman fell out of the vehicle and was run over by the same van from which she was a passenger. An ambulance rushed the 45-year-old woman to the hospital; but, the woman did not survive the injuries.

Corpus Christi Police Crash investigators took the van to the city impound and the 46-year-old man was questioned by investigators.

No arrests or formal charges have been applied and the investigation is not complete. Investigators continue to gather evidence and information about this event.

Corpus Christi Police urge safe practices such as the use of seatbelts and avoidance of distracted driving to reduce the risk of injury.

Adam District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

18 Wheeler Blown Off Road Thursday Night

Occurred Thursday, May 10, 2012, 10:40pm, 8600 Interstate Highway 37 C1203589

Corpus Christi Police Officers were busy as a result of severe weather overnight Thursday with several vehicle crashes, roadways obstructed by debris, and high water hazards.

Winds were reported to have caused a truck tractor and a semitrailer to roll over. The trailer hauled asphalt and the operator of the vehicle was taken to the hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. The recovery crews returned at 10:00am Friday morning to provide cleanup of the crash scene.

The 52 year old operator of the vehicle was not cited for any traffic offense. The cause of the crash is believed to be high winds. The vehicle traveled north on Interstate Highway 37 in the right lane and landed in the ditch on the right side of the road.

Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Man Run Over By A Bus

Occurred Friday, May 04, 2012, 2:35pm, Texan Trail at Alameda Street Crash #C1203397

A 55 year old man was hospitalized after his arm was run over by a bus Friday afternoon at the intersection of Texan Trail and Alameda Street near Doctors Regional Hospital.

The 55 year old man was asleep at the bus stop when the bus stopped to deliver passengers. The man woke abruptly as the Regional Transit Authority bus started to move north on Alameda from the bus stop. The man ran after the bus and attempted to gain the drivers attention then touched the bus. The man fell and the rear tires of the bus ran over the man’s left arm.

The man was taken by ambulance to Spohn Memorial hospital for significant damage to the left arm. There were several passengers on the R.T.A. bus and no other person was injured.

The investigating officer from the Corpus Christi Police said he directly permitted medical treatment without delay or interference and was unable to observe any indication if the 55 year old man was intoxicated by the time of this brief.

Corpus Christi Police remind pedestrians to be careful around streets. Do not approach a vehicle once it is in motion. Do not walk in the area between the sidewalk and the street because the storm water curb may cause a fall hazard. Enter the street in designated places such as a cross walk. Be alert when out in public to avoid other safety risks and arrive at your destination safely.

Community Outreach, Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Buc Days Parade General Information

Those that attend the Buc Days Illuminated Parade scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2012 should be aware of a few guidelines to make the event fun and safe for everyone.

The Parade route will close to traffic at 5:00pm. The parade route will start at the Buccaneer Stadium and follow Leopard Street to Lawrence Street. The Parade will then follow Lawrence to Shoreline Boulevard and then turn south on Shoreline to Park Street.

Street closures will include Leopard from Nueces Bay to Shoreline; Buffalo Street will be closed between Nueces Bay to Palm Street; and Antelope will be closed between Nueces Bay to Palm.

There are a few prohibited items along the parade route. The use of any air horns, any Fireworks, Silly String, and impact firecrackers are all prohibited, so the public is encouraged to leave those items at home. Those that attend the parade are encouraged to bring trash containers to collect and remove their garbage. Everyone that attends should also be mindful of the City Ordinance Section 23-63 for littering in prohibited places.

The parade is a family event and there will be children enjoying the parade. Those that attend will be able to claim a spot on the parade route after 5:00pm on May 4. The Corpus Christi Police wants everyone to enjoy the parade and promote a safe environment for all that attend.

Community Outreach, Delta District, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Shoreline Blvd. Closed From 5PM Today Until 2PM Saturday

The Buc Days activities will disrupt traffic patterns in downtown Corpus Christi this weekend.  Shoreline Boulevard from Buford to Coopers Alley Street will be closed to traffic from 5:00pm on April 27, 2012 until 2:00pm on Saturday April 28. Shoreline Boulevard from Coopers Alley Street to the American Bank Center will be closed to traffic from 10:00am until 2:00pm on Saturday April 28 for the Buc Days Kids Parade.

Motorists are asked to take alternate routes to avoid this area. The downtown area of Corpus Christi is expected to have congested pedestrian traffic. Extra Corpus Christi Police patrol will be in the downtown area for the safety of everyone. Please be patient and courteous.

Adam District, Traffic Safety Division

Names Released of Two Arrested in Monday Night Pursuit, Two Still Hospitalized

Occurred on 4/23/12, 11:30 pm,  Wanted Subjects, Evading Arrest, Major Accident   13100 Leopard Street 1204240003/C1203108

Police have released the names of two individuals who were involved in Monday night’s pursuit which ended in a collision after the female driver lost control of the tan Ford Taurus she was driving.  Officers had originally pulled the vehicle over for a traffic infraction. 

The female driver originally pulled over for the Officer, but drove off during the traffic stop.  At this time, the accident and pursuit investigation continues, but the motive for the driver fleeing is unknown.

Passengers Candace Carreares (12/16/89) and Gene Arthur Hinojosa (05/18/82) were released from the hospital and have been booked at the City Detention Center.  Carreares and Hinojosa who both misidentified themselves to the Officer during the traffic stop were charged with Failure to Identify as a Fugitive from Justice and Evading Arrest.  

Carreares was additionally charged with an outstanding Nueces County warrant for Hindering Apprehension, No Bond, while Hinojosa was also charged with an outstanding Austin Parole Violation for Possession of Cocaine, No Bond.

The female driver and a male passenger remain hospitalized at Spohn Memorial.

Any updates regarding this incident will be released by the Corpus Christi Police Department Public Information Office at www.ccpdblotter.com.

Adam District, Traffic Safety Division

Truck Collides With Parked Car On IH 37 And Causes Disruption For Traffic

Occurred Wednesday, April 18, 2012, Traffic Crash Interstate Highway 37 at Southern Minerals Rd. C1202950

A man was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning after a crash with a parked vehicle on Interstate Highway 37.

Traffic was directed off the highway from 7:10am until 9:40am while crash scene investigators obtained measurements and collected evidence.

A Chevy truck traveled south on Interstate Highway 37 toward downtown Corpus Christi and traveled into the right shoulder where the truck struck a parked vehicle. The parked vehicle was thrown into an area between the freeway and the access road. The truck moved across all three lanes of the freeway and struck another vehicle. There were three vehicles involved in the crash.

The parked vehicle was unoccupied. The operator of the truck in the initial collision was transported to the hospital with severe injuries. The person in the third vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Corpus Christi Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

Corpus Christi police warn motorists to exercise patience while driving. Slow down or vacate the lane of travel nearest to any vehicle stopped near the road. Slowing the vehicle reduces the risk of injury and accidents.

Bravo District, Traffic Safety Division

7am Crash Results In A Man Arrested For Driving While Intoxicated

Occurred Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 6:50am, Driving While Intoxicated 1204110013, & C1202729

A 22-year-old man was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated this morning at the 6100 block of Saratoga after a single vehicle crash.

Corpus Christi Police investigated a single vehicle crash in which a black 2008 Toyota Corolla travelled west on Saratoga, then crossed all lanes of traffic, over the concrete median, and then left the roadway. The Corolla rolled and landed on its side.

The operator of the Corolla was the only occupant and he was taken to the hospital for treatment for minor injuries. Corpus Christi Police investigated the crash and discovered evidence that the operator may have been intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Police arrested 22-year-old George Light (7/24/1989) for Driving While Intoxicated. The charge is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

Bravo District, Traffic Safety Division

Children Ages 3 and 4 Critically Injured In Crash With Driver Who Was Arrested For Intoxication Assault

Occurred Saturday, April 07, 2012, 12:06pm, Intoxication Assault 1204070065, C1202624

A 22-year-old man was arrested Saturday for Intoxication Assault after a crash on the 16100 block of Park Road 22 on Padre Island sent several people including a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old child to the hospital.

The 22-year-old man, Eric Cordell (9/5/1989), drove a silver 2002 Nissan pickup on the 16100 block of Park Road 22 and turned into a white Sport Utility Vehicle causing a head on collision. The occupants of the white sport utility vehicle were trapped until they were freed by the Corpus Christi and the Flour Bluff Fire Departments.

Two HALO helicopters were employed to transport patients with critical injuries from the white sport utility vehicle to the hospital.

Corpus Christi Police discovered evidence that Cordell was intoxicated, and Cordell was arrested for Intoxication Assault, a 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Cordell was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation and then delivered to the city detention center.