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Articles by Katie Urbaszewski
Crews rescue man holding onto tree surrounded by water in Red...
First-responders rescued a man in his 30s who was holding onto a tree branch in the water off Red Bud Isle, Austin police said.The man went into the water to rescue his dog, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.The man and the dog weren’t injured, and both were delivered back to Red Bud Isle safely, EMS said.American-Statesman file photo“Fortunately, (EMS officials were) in the area doing training and were able to make access very quickly,” said Capt.
Police release video of suspect in string of sexual assault cases
Austin police are asking for help in identifying a man caught on surveillance camera video who they suspect assaulted a woman in February and who they believe could be connected to a series of sexual assaults being investigated since November.Austin police released Tuesday a video that shows the suspect running through a homeowner’s yard in after the assault happened around 6:35 a.m. Feb. 18.
Teen bicyclist critically injured after crash in Northwest Austin
A teenage boy on a bicycle was hit by a car in Northwest Austin and is on his way to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, EMS officials said.Medics responded at 10:13 p.m. to Rustic Rock Drive and Spicewood Springs Road, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said. Medics are performing CPR on him as they transport him to Round Rock Medical Center.The driver stopped at the scene after the crash, Austin police said.American-Statesman file photo
Man accused of choking person to death after fight in...
A 22-year-old man is accused of killing another man by choking him to death near a homeless camp in Northeast Austin this weekend, according to his arrest affidavit.John Fredrick Moutonwas jailed Monday night and charged him with murder.
Crash closes FM 973 in both directions at U.S. 183, deputies say
FM 973 is closed in both directions at U.S. 183 after a crash, Travis County sheriff’s officials said.Deputies responded to the crash at 6:40 p.m. The crash was not fatal, but no other injury information was immediately available.American-Statesman file photo
Drowning reveals flaws in Pflugerville water park’s safety,...
His family has filed suit against the park, claiming he drowned due to unsafe conditions. Twice on Aug. 9, 2014, when the Hawaiian Falls water park in Pflugerville was hosting an event for special-needs children, EMS medics rushed to the park because of a crisis in the same wading pool. First, patrons flagged down a lifeguard because Irudayam Yeddanapalli, an 83-year-old Pflugerville resident who had taken his granddaughter to the water park for the event, was at the bottom of a wading pool.
Deputies share more details about shooting south of Pflugerville
Deputies are trying to track down three teenage boys who came to a man’s house, in a neighborhood between Austin and Pflugerville, before one of them shot him Thursday afternoon, according to what the shooting victim told Travis County deputies.The three teens were banging on his garage door in the 300 block of Wild Senna Drive trying to break in, he told Travis County deputies.
Fire crews responding to house struck by lightning
10:25 p.m. update: A house caught fire after being struck by lightning at 10805 Champ Court, which is in Northwest Austin, Austin fire officials said.
Austin police warn about increase in car burglaries in Knollwood
Police are asking the public to report suspicious people and activities around the Knollwood neighborhood in East Austin after warning about an increase in car burglaries and auto thefts in the area over the last two weeks.The neighborhood is between the Colorado River and U.S. 183, police said.Police asked that people call 911 if they see anyone acting suspiciously in the area.A neighbor’s surveillance cameras caught two men trying the handles on car doors early Thursday.
Police: Austin pedicab driver helps officers catch sex assault...
A pedicab driver in downtown Austin played a crucial role in helping police catch a sexual assault suspect, according to the suspect’s arrest affidavit.Luis Palos, the pedicab driver, first approached the man in the early morning hours of May 19 when he heard a loud wail near Fifth and and San Antonio streets, according to the suspect’s arrest affidavit. Palos saw two people that he first assumed were having sex.
Man shot near North Austin, EMS officials say
A man in his 40s was shot in an area between Pflugerville and Austin on Thursday afternoon, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.Medics responded at 2:26 p.m. to East Wild Senna Drive, near Segovia Way, EMS officials said.
Officials identify man found in retention pond after flooding
Officials have identified the man whose body was recovered Sunday after floodwaters somewhat subsided in southeastern Travis County.Oscar Sanchez Benitez, 29, of Dale, Texas, is believed to have died after being swept away by floodwaters, officials with the Travis County Medical Examiner’s office said.
Funeral director offers reward to catch driver who struck,...
The owner of the burial service hired for the funeral of a 3-year-old boy who died in a hit-and-run last month is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the driver who struck and killed the child.Robert Falcon said he and his wife are offering $2,500 in reward money, and a friend — who wishes to remain anonymous — offered another $2,500.“We are a week after the funeral, and the family has no answers,” Falcon said.
Horrendous traffic reported Tuesday evening
Traffic is much more congested than usual Tuesday as Austinites head home in the rain, and drivers should expect to spend an extra 20 to 45 minutes than normal on the road. Traffic reporter Joe Taylor, who reports on traffic for several Austin radio stations, said this is extreme, even for Austin. Google Maps shows that all our major roadways are more congested than usual during rush hour Tuesday: Remember, the roads are slick for our evening commute.
Southbound I-35 closed in San Marcos
Southbound Interstate 35 has closed at the southern edge of San Marcos due to a truck crash, officials with the Texas Department of Transportation said.The crash is south of Centerpoint Road or Exit 200. Consider alternate routes, officials said.American-Statesman file photo
Austin police to bolster DWI enforcement for Memorial Day weekend
This weekend, as well as on Memorial Day, no driver in Austin will be able to refuse a blood test if police suspect he or she is drunk.On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, extra Austin employees will be on hand from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to ensure that police will be able to obtain a warrant to test the blood-alcohol content of any driver they suspect is drunk and has also refused a breathalyzer.Throughout Central Texas, police can sometimes obtain these blood sample warrants, though it depends on the...
Rapidly rising waters force evacuations near Smithville
6:40 a.m. update: Bastrop County officials have ordered the evacuation of three Smithville-area neighborhoods after they have seen rapidly rising waters near the Colorado River.Authorities say about 150 homes need to be evacuated in three subdivisions: Pecan Shores, Hidden Shores, Doty River Estates.
Nearly 500 Austin Energy customers without power
Nearly 500 Austin Energy customers are without power, according to Austin Energy’s outage map.The outages are primarly in a small pocket along South Lamar Boulevard and in another pocket along West William Cannon Dive, west of MoPac Boulevard, and are estimated to be fixed around midnight, the map shows.WEATHER WATCH: Click here for the latest storm, flooding and forecast updates.Austin Energy is reporting almost 500 customers are without power. (Austin Energy Customer Outage Portal)
Police arrest first suspect in I-35 rock-throwing cases
Austin police have a suspect in custody after a witness reported seeing him throwing a rock on I-35. Police don’t believe the man is responsible for all the rock-throwing incidents reported since June 2014. Police have accused the man of throwing several objects onto the lower deck and service road of the highway.
Police accuse Austin men of dealing in Chinese-made opiate...
Authorities have accused two men living in Austin of dealing in fentanyl, a laboratory-made heroin alternative that police said came from China and might be responsible for several overdose deaths in Austin.Sylvester Orlowski, a 26-year-old man also known as “Sly,” and Albert Picazo, 28, were charged May 18 after police found two men in their 20s dead from suspected overdoses in a South Austin home the morning of May 5, according to court documents.The two men were found dead in the 1400...
Statesman Interactive: Rock-throwing data reveal patterns
The Austin Police Department recently shared the date, time and location of all rock-throwing incidents in the city since the first one was reported in June 2014. After 13 new incidents were reported last weekend, police are now investigating a total of 83 cases. INTERACTIVE: Explore a Statesman interactive map of the rock-throwing cases.
Police: Man stabs victim with knife, machete while in vehicle
A 23-year-old man is accused of stabbing a person with both a knife and a machete earlier this month while they were in a vehicle together in South Austin, according to his arrest affidavit.Karl Turner was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery, records show.The victim flagged down an officer on Manchaca Road, near Shiloh Drive, just before 5 p.m. May 9 and told the officer he’d been stabbed, Turner’s affidavit says.
2 children, 3 teens injured in Cameron Road crash, EMS...
Three teenagers and two children younger than 10 were injured in a crash in Northeast Austin, police said.Medics responded to the crash at 12:31 p.m. on Cameron Road, just south of East Anderson Lane, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.A teenage woman has critical injuries, and two teenage men have potentially serious injuries, EMS officials said. They were taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge.
13 new rock-throwing cases reported this weekend, Austin...
13 new rock-throwing cases reported this weekend, Austin police say By Katie Urbaszewski - American-Statesman Staff 0Posted: 4:36 p.m. Monday, May 23, 2016Austin police are investigating 13 new rock-throwing that happened along Interstate 35 over the weekend.In total, police are now investigating 83 rock-throwing since the first one was reported in 2014.Rock-throwing cases were reported this weekend at the following times and locations:Friday about 9:44p.m. at the 3200 block of North...
Police accuse 2 Austin men of dealing in Chinese-made opiate...
Fentanyl, a laboratory-made heroin alternative, is linked to 5 deaths in Austin since December, police said. Two men were arrested and charged with selling fentanyl to two people who later died from it, police said. Authorities have accused two men living in Austin of selling a laboratory-made heroin alternative, produced in China, that led to the deaths of at least two people in the city. The drug, fentanyl, is a synthetic opiate similar to heroin, but much more powerful.
Person injured, suspect arrested after possible shooting,...
Officers are responding to a possible shooting near Interstate 35 and East St. Johns Avenue, Austin police said.One person has injuries that are not life-threatening. A suspect has been detained, and there is no further threat to the public, police said.AMERICAN-STATESMAN file photo
Man dies after drag-racing crash in Northeast Austin, police say
A man died in what witnesses said was a drag-racing crash in Northeast Austin on Friday evening, and one of the drivers involved fled the scene, Austin police said.One of the drivers, who witnesses said was racing, died at the scene, police said. He was estimated to be in his 30s.
EMS: Man dead, another injured after crash in Northeast Austin
A man, estimated to be in his 20s, died in a two-vehicle crash in Northeast Austin on Friday evening, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.The man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Dessau Road near East Rundberg Lane, EMS officials said. A second man involved in the crash was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge with serious injuries that are not expected to be life-threatening, EMS said.AMERICAN-STATESMAN file photo.
Austin police officer who was fired for drunken driving...
An arbitrator has ruled to reinstate a former Austin police officer who lost his job last year after being charged with drunken driving, according to the police union’s president.Albert “Matt” Arevalo was fired in September after being charged with DWI last May.
Police seeking man who grabbed woman at Southwest Austin park
Austin police are looking for a man who police say came up from behind and grabbed a woman who was drinking from a water fountain at the Circle C Ranch Metro Park just after noon Friday.He pushed her to the ground, then ran off on foot, she told police.He is estimated to be in his 40s, 6-feet tall, unshaven and has a medium build.
Man shot, robbed in North Austin, police say
A man was shot Tuesday evening while being robbed in an area near Lamar Boulevard and Anderson Lane, Austin police said.The man has potentially life-threatening injuries, and officers are looking for the man who reportedly robbed him, police said.Officers responded at 9:22 p.m. to the 200 block of West Lola Drive, police said.American-Statesman file photo
APD officer suspended, accused of driving recklessly to catch...
An Austin police officer has been suspended for 10 days after Chief Art Acevedo accused him of driving recklessly to catch a suspected drunk driver.Officer Nathaniel Stallings was suspended from May 7-18, according to an Austin Police Department memo. The Austin Police Department has disciplined Stallings in the past: once in 2014 for violating the APD pursuit policy and twice the same year for violating policies regarding the operation of department vehicles.
Police determine briefcase in Northwest Austin is not dangerous
9 p.m. update: The Austin police bomb squad determined that a suspicious item was not dangerous, police said.The item is a brief case with inexpensive knives inside, Austin police said.Earlier: The Austin police bomb squad is investigating a suspicious package in Northwest Austin.American-Statesman file photoOfficers received a call at 5:51 p.m. regarding a suspicious package in the 11700 block of Research Boulevard, and the bomb squad is currently investigating the item, Austin police said.
Shooter sought after 2 horses found dead in Travis County
Deputies are looking for the person or people who shot two horses in a field off Springdale Road, a Travis County sheriff’s spokesman said.A passerby called 911 Sunday afternoon after seeing buzzards circling the northern end of Springdale Road, said Roger Wade, sheriff’s spokesman. Deputies found two horses that were dead in the field and had appeared to be shot. Each horse belonged to a different owner.“Detectives talked to one of the owners this afternoon,” Wade said Monday.
Rock-throwing incidents rise to 62, Austin police say
Austin police are investigating a new report of a vehicle being hit by a rock on an Austin highway, bringing the total number of rock-throwing incidents reported since June 2014 to 62, police said Monday.Police confirmed the incident happened recently, but they did not say when or where the incident took place, or whether anyone was hurt.Authorities have not identified any suspects or made any arrests.
Crash closes westbound lanes of FM 969 near Decker Lane,...
7:05 a.m. update: Police say the westbound lanes of FM 969 near Decker Lane have now opened.Earlier: A rollover wreck has prompted authorities to shut down the westbound lanes of FM 969 near Decker Lane.Officers are letting people pass through the area via the center turn lane, Austin police said.AMERICAN-STATESMAN file photoA car ended up in a ditch after a crash involving two vehicles occurred around 5:30 a.m., police said.Police reported only minor injuries among the drivers.
Motorcyclist dies on road in northeast Travis County,...
A man believed to be in his 30s was found dead next to a motorcycle just outside Austin’s city limits in northeast Travis County, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.He was found on Springdale Road near Tuscany Way, Travis County sheriff’s officials said. Deputies responded at 6 a.m., shortly after they believe the motorcyclist crashed and died.The man was pronounced dead at the scene, EMS officials said.American-Statesman file photo
Woman rescued after rollover crash on U.S. 290 in Southwest...
A woman was rescued from her vehicle after a crash in the 7700 block of U.S. 290 West near the intersection with Texas 71 in Southwest Austin, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.The woman, estimated to be in her 70s, has potentially serious injuries and was taken to St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, EMS officials said.
APD: Toddler, infant found wandering streets while mother was...
A baby boy and a toddler were found wandering their Southeast Austin neighborhood Tuesday morning after their mother left them alone to go to a Zumba class, according to Austin police.Police arrested their mother, 33-year-old Gisela Sanchez Flores, after she returned home, her arrest affidavit says.
Crews work to fix gas leak in East Austin, shut down 38th ½...
Firefighters are working to repair a gas leak in just east of Interstate 35 in East Austin, and crews have shut down East 38th 1/2 Street near Clarkson Avenue as a result.The gas leak, which occurred near Maplewood Elementary School, is expected to be repaired in about three hours, Austin police said at 10:15 a.m. Three portable buildings at Maplewood Elementary, as well as three small businesses, have been evacuated.Firefighters are working on a gas line break in the 1400 block of 38 1/2...
17-year-old threatens landscapers with gun in South Austin,...
A 17-year-old boy threatened landscapers with a shotgun in his South Austin neighborhood Monday after the landscaping work woke him up, according to his arrest affidavit.Police arrested the teenager, Richard Finnell, and seized a shotgun from his house after responding to the call at 11 a.m. in the 7900 block of Manassas Drive.A landscaper was loading tree branches into a trailer when he looked up and saw Finnell pointing a gun at him, the landscaper told police.
SWAT sent to home in South Austin; police standoff ends in arrest
An Austin police SWAT team surrounded a house in far South Austin early Wednesday, and the person inside eventually surrendered, police said.Around 1 a.m., officers responded to a report of someone harming or threatening to a harm a person he or she lived with at a house in the 10800 block Watchful Fox Drive, police said. The victim was out of the house by the time police arrived.
Fight in line at taco truck in North Austin ends in murder,...
A man was shot and killed for arguing with people who cut him in line at a North Austin taco truck, according to Austin police investigators.The man who died, 39-year-old Rigoberto Jose, was standing in line around 2 a.m. Sunday at a taco truck in the parking lot off North Lamar Boulevard, about half a mile north of U.S. 183, when a group of people approached the truck and cut the line, the affidavit says.
Police ID Elgin family members who were victims in Manor crash...
Police have identified the father and son who died and the three other friends and family who were injured when the pickup they were riding in hydroplaned and flipped on Mother’s Day in Manor .All five people were from Elgin, Manor police said Monday morning. The driver, 24-year-old Alfonso Lopez, and his father who was in the front seat, 51-year-old Jose Lopez, died at the scene.
Lyft suspends Austin service; Uber to cut off service at 8...
Lyft appears to have fulfilled its pledge to suspend operations in Austin on Monday after voters rejected a ballot measure Saturday that would have repealed fingerprinting requirements for drivers of Lyft and other ride-hailing companies.Uber is still operating, though the company has said it will stop operations in Austin at 8 a.m. Monday.According to Lyft’s app, as of 5 a.m. Monday the company was no longer picking up passengers in the city limits of Austin, though Lyft drivers will pick up...
Police investigating death of woman on street in East Austin
7:20 a.m. update: Investigators are no longer calling the death of a woman in East Austin a suspicious death, Austin police said.Medics responded at 3:12 a.m. and found a woman, who witnesses said had overdosed on drugs, in cardiac arrest at Chicon and Fourth streets, Austin-Travis County EMS officials said.She was taken to the hospital, where she died, police said.
Expect gorgeous weather, but be aware of Ozone Action Day
Friday’s forecast: Expect another gorgeous day Friday in the Austin, with weather very similar to Thursday’s. Temperatures will be in the 60s until about 10 a.m., when the city will begin to rapidly warm up, the National Weather Service said. We’re expected to reach a high of 84 degrees in the late afternoon. It’s not all good news today: Texas has declared Friday an Ozone Action Day for the Austin metro area, which includes Travis, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop counties.
Blanco couple accused of injuring kids, including 1-year-old...
A mother and her boyfriend are accused of injuring her three children, including a 1-year-old girl who died Thursday in what Blanco police chief Mike Ritchey called “the worst child abuse case I’ve ever seen” in 43 years of law enforcement.The baby girl, Sunny Dakota Bort, died at 9 a.m. Thursday at University Hospital in San Antonio, Ritchey said.
City Council says yes to plan to reduce traffic fatalities
The council postponed action on contracts that would equip police with body cameras and license plate readers. The City Council moves forward with recommendations to reduce fatal crashes in the city.
Two Mother’s Day wrecks kill seven on U.S. 290 only minutes apart
The second crash happened about 10 minutes earlier near Manor when a pickup rolled over, killing two. Seven people died in two crashes on U.S. 290 — nearly 40 miles apart but within 10 minutes of each other — on Mother’s Day as rainstorms passed through Hays and Travis counties. The deadliest crash Sunday happened in northern Hays County at 2:06 p.m., Texas Department of Public Safety officials said.
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