‘Jane Doe’ found dead in 1985 along I-20 in Smith County identified as young mother, wife
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The identity of a woman whose remains were found nearly 40 years ago in Smith County was released Tuesday. According to a press release from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, human remains were found about 75 feet from I-20 near Hwy 69 eastbound while TxDOT crews were mowing along the highway on Oct. 1, 1985. The remains appeared to be those of a woman based on clothing found near her, the release said, and after Lindale police and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office were contacted, the remains were sent to the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.It was believed that the woman was white or Hispanic, and around 25 years old, the release said, and her body was determined to have been deteriorating near the roadway for a year or more. According to the sheriff’s office, multiple leads over the past four decades have failed to identify the woman. In 2021, the sheriff’s office partnered with the DNA Doe Project for funding to identify the remains, they said. In November of 2023, the DDP identified a possible lead for the identity of the woman. DNA was gathered from possible family members in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, they said, and it was found that the woman has been married in January of 1984 and had a child in July of the same year. After the DNA evidence was examined at UNT Fort Worth, the victim was identified as Sindy Gina Crow, born on Sept. 12, 1957. She was married to Dwight P. Crow, with whom she had a daughter in 1984, the release said, and her last address was in Arlington. David Turner, the original investigator on the case, was at today’s press conference. “This case here was always kind of a challenge because she was never reported missing. Her family lived out of state, she wound up back here in Texas and she was just around everywhere,” Turner said. Rhonda Kevorkian with the DNA Doe Project was also at today’s press conference. “Our team wishes to express our deepest condolences to Sindy’s family and loved ones. We know this is a bittersweet resolution and our hearts go out to all those grieving her loss,” Kevorkian said. Sheriff Larry Smith says now the work of finding her killer begins which can be very difficult. “With it being so old and happened so long ago it will be very difficult. Also, when you don’t have any organs, or anything left with the body you have nothing but skeletal remains it is very difficult. We feel that it is our obligation that she gets a proper burial,” Smith said. An emotional Turner said this day has been something he has worked for for the past 38 years. “I’ve always said, before I pass through the gates, I want to identify her. So, it feels good, you know?” Turner said. Family members of Crow have been notified of the discovery, the release said.
1 dead, 1 arrested in shooting at Longview convenience store
LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – A Gladewater man has been arrested after a shooting on Friday that left another man dead. At about 3:40 a.m., officers responded to a shooting at a convenience store in the 700 block of Gilmer Road, according to a release from the Longview Police Department. When they arrived, officers found a man with a life-threatening gunshot wound, the release said. He was taken to a local hospital, as detectives began to investigate. Police said Tykiron Garceil Mumphrey, 20, was identified as a suspect and has been arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Mumphrey has been booked into the Gregg County Jail and is being held without bond.
2 arrested in connection with Monday morning Nacogdoches robbery
NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – Two Nacogdoches men were arrested Monday after police say they robbed someone at their house. According to Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office Communications Specialist Tim Monzingo, deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 3,000 block of Farm to Market Road 2259 around 9:45 a.m. Deputies said that after conducting a brief investigation, based on evidence collected at the scene, they determined that the suspects were possibly at another residence nearby. Monzingo said deputies were given permission by the second residence’s occupants to conduct a search, at which time several firearms were recovered, including a semi-automatic firearm which had allegedly been modified into a fully automatic weapon. Around 9:45 p.m. on Monday, April 15, deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 3,000 block of FM 2259 to investigate a report of a robbery in which one suspect was armed with a firearm. During their investigation, deputies determined the suspects were possibly at another nearby residence on the same street based on evidence collected at the scene of the robbery. Jaterrion Travonne Gardner, 19, and Zabrailon Martin, 20, both of Nacogdoches, were taken into custody based on evidence developed during the investigation. Both are charged with aggravated robbery, which is a first-degree felony. The two men were booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail on a charge of aggravated robbery.
Elderly couple injured in a northwest Jasper County Crash
An elderly couple was injured when their vehicle crashed and rolled over on the front yard of a house. It happened at about 4:00 Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of County Roads 32 and 78 in northwest Jasper County. Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Shana Clark said that 78-year-old Glenn Mobley, of Jasper, was driving a 2019 Dodge pickup truck when he went off the road and struck a concrete barrier for a culvert. Sergeant Clark said Mobley was flown by medical helicopter to a Conroe hospital with life threatening injuries, while the female passenger, who was not identified, was transported by ambulance to Jasper Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Houston man and woman sentenced to federal prison after arrest in Bridge City
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas has announced that a Houston man and woman have been sentenced to federal prison after they were arrested in March of 2022 in Bridge City. U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs says Christopher Jay Johnson, Jr., 35, and Lissette Elvira Guevara, 37, were arrested when Bridge City Police investigated a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at a business. Diggs said officers found Johnson with a loaded handgun on his lap, and they found Guevara in possession of 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of methamphetamine. Diggs noted that Johnson was already a convicted felon and could not legally possess a weapon. Johnson later appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to a charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and has now been sentenced to 9 years in federal prison. Guevara later appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance and has now been sentenced to 9 years and 5 months in federal prison.
Jasper Police say girl is missing
The Jasper Police Department is asking the public for any information about a missing girl. Family members say 15-year-old Taylor DeAnn Collins has been missing since early Sunday morning from Highway 190 East in Jasper. If you have any information about the missing girl, you’re asked to contact Jasper Police at 409-384-3471.
Charge against former Henderson ISD booster club president dismissed
HENDERSON, Texas (KLTV) – A charge accusing a former Henderson ISD football club president of using booster funds for personal expenses has been dismissed. On Thursday, District Judge J. Clay Gossett received a motion to dismiss a charge against Kenneth Lee Orr, 69, of Henderson. Orr had been accused of misappropriation of fiduciary property in 2022 after the booster club committee allegedly noticed he had written an $8,000 check to himself, according to a probable cause affidavit, and replaced the funds days later. The motion to dismiss states the “booster club does not believe it is in the interest of the organization or anyone else to prosecute further…money was repaid next day and [it’s] difficult to determine if this was truly that far from the norm and custom of the organization.”
Governor issues disaster declaration for seven East Texas counties
Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration Monday for seven East Texas counties impacted by severe storms and flooding that began last week and continue to affect homes, businesses, and the agriculture industry throughout those regions. The counties in the Governor’s declaration include: Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Newton, Panola, Shelby, and Tyler counties. “The State of Texas continues working around-the-clock with local officials to respond to severe storms and flooding and help all impacted Texans begin to rebuild and recover,” said Governor Abbott. “I issued a disaster declaration to ensure that all resources are readily available to communities in need to support their recovery efforts. Texans are encouraged to report damages to their homes or businesses through the iSTAT damage survey so state and local officials can determine if the state meets the requirements for additional federal assistance. I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management and first responders who are working tirelessly to keep their fellow Texans recover from these storms.” Local and state officials are currently assessing damage across the affected regions. As flood waters recede, those initial damage assessments will continue, and determinations will be made about the eligibility of various forms of federal disaster assistance for impacted residents. Additional counties may be added to the declaration at a later date.
Law enforcement officers involved in car crash
TEXARKANA, Ar. – Two law enforcement officers crash while responding to a call This morning in Texarkana, Arkansas. The Miller County Sheriff’s deputy and Texarkana, Arkansas police officer collided at the intersection of Division and East streets. A third vehicle was also hit by one of the patrol cars. Both officers were taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Arkansas state police is investigating the crash.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING- NOTICE POSTED; April 15, 2024 — 3:30 D. M.
The Sabine Parish Police Jury will hold a regular meeting April 17, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the Police Jury Meeting Room of the Sabine Parish Courthouse, 400 S. Capitol Street, Many, Louisiana.
Pedestrian killed in 500 block of MacArthur Drive
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – According to the Alexandria Police Department, a pedestrian was killed in the 500 block of MacArthur Drive on April 14 around 9:45 p.m. APD responded to a single-vehicle crash Sunday night and learned that the pedestrian, Jeannie Austin, 56, of Alexandria, was attempting to cross the northbound lane of MacArthur Drive when the crash happened. Toxicology tests were performed on the driver of the vehicle. This is currently an ongoing investigation.
Road closed
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces the left lane of US 190 from Bon Ami Street to Pine Street will be closed Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Rush of flood water caused a log jam on the Sabine River at Deweyville
A rush of flood water has created a massive log jam on the Sabine River at the Highway 12 Bridge at Deweyville. The high water floated the logs and then began carrying them down-river until they reached the bridge and became trapped. Photos taken by Deweyville resident Barbara Phillips and shared with KJAS News show the mass of logs stretching across the river and a few hundred yards up-stream. The Newton County Emergency Management office released a statement which said that both the Texas Department of Transportation and the Louisiana Department of Transportation along with the Sabine River Authority were all working together to come up with a solution to the problem. On Friday afternoon their plans came together. The bridge was closed to traffic and heavy machinery was on the bridge clearing out the log jam.
Swift water rescue teams pull stranded drivers and homeowners to safety
Hardin County Sheriff Mark Davis tells KFDM/Fox 4 News swift water rescue teams, deputies, firefighters and other first responders, have rescued people stranded in cars and homes near Village Creek. Davis says they’ve been busy since early Friday morning, pulling one driver from a car inundated with water, with only six inches of the roof visible. They’re using boats to help people leave their homes, now surrounded by water along portions of FM 418 and FM 327 between Silsbee and Kountze. The rescues are underway along Wingfield Drive, east of Lumberton, Old Beaumont Highway and Andover, FM 327 west of Silsbee, and other locations. Village Creek has crested at 27.16 feet Friday morning. As of 10:45 a.m., the level stood at 26.64 feet. The forecast is for the water level to drop to 22.4 feet at 1 a.m. Saturday. Minor flood stage is 12 feet and major flood stage is 23 feet. The water level at Toledo Bend is now above the 172.5 foot mark that triggers water releases. When that happens, all 5 gates are opened one foot, releasing 5,000 cfs.
Teen killed in ATV crash
SHREVEPORT, La. – A teenager lost his life in an ATV accident over the weekend. It happened Saturday night on Slack Road and Benton Kelly Drive in Shreveport. Jeremiah Jacobs was ejected from his 4-wheeler and pronounced dead at the hospital. No other details have been released.
Toledo Bend Dam has 5 gates open at 1 foot each
Information on the Sabine River Authority website says that as of Friday afternoon, Toledo Bend Dam has 5 gates open at 1 foot each. This comes after the lake level exceeded 172.50 feet, and the SRA says their operation guidelines stipulate that the gates are to be opened when the water is at that level. Additionally, Toledo Bend Dam is releasing water through both electrical generators 24 hours a day. As of Friday afternoon, Toledo Bend Dam was releasing 18,233 cubic feet of water per second. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service has updated their projections for peak levels and flooding down the Sabine River.
SABINE RIVER AT BURKEVILLE
Predicted to peak at 40.0 feet on Wednesday
Moderate flood stage is 40.0 feet
SABINE RIVER AT BON WIER
Predicted to peak at 34.3 feet on Wednesday
Moderate flood stage is 33.0 feet
SABINE RIVER AT DEWEYVILLE
Predicted to peak at 27.1 feet on Sunday
Predicted to drop to 25.7 feet on Wednesday
Predicted to start rising again on Wednesday, no info on next peak level
Moderate flood stage is 26.0 feet
Major flooding predicted along Sabine River
LOGANSPORT, La. — Major flooding is a concern along the Sabine River in and around Logansport in the coming days. Emergency response agencies met Thursday morning in DeSoto Parish to prepare their response. “Having emergency vehicles in the area just in case the need arises. Of course, we have a hydro-truck which is an amphibious vehicle. A couple of drones with heat capabilities,” said DeSoto Parish sheriff’s PIO Mark Pierce. The Logansport gauge on the Sabine River is forecasted to rise to 34.3 feet Friday, which would be the highest it has been since 2016 (when it crested at 35 feet.) There is at least some low potential for the river to crest a foot or two higher than this, and of course a higher crest has potential to cause even larger issues, Pierce said. Currently, the river is expected to crest on Monday around 35.7 feet. Residents in low areas near the river such as Caraway Isle and Garrett’s Park in Logansport have already either evacuated, or are in the process of leaving now. “My wife and everybody gathered up and have been packing stuff up and low camp off the Johnson,” said Jeff Rogers, a Garrett’s Park resident. “Our office, along with EMS, Fire, 911, is fully prepared to assist anyone needing assistance prior to the crest stage, and rescue, if needed, at any stage. We are sparing no resource or tool available to ensure the safety of everyone affected by this flooding,” Pierce said. The DeSoto Parish Police Jury has also announced that sandbags are available and can be picked up at the DeSoto Parish Police Jury road barn in Grand Cane (behind the airport), Logansport Fire Station and Stonewall Fire Station.
Van burns up on Highway 96 near Roganville
Van Engulfed in Flames on Hwy 96 near Roganville A possibly disastrous situation was averted on Hwy 96 near Roganville. The incident occurred on Thursday just before 3 pm as a delivery van was traveling south on Hwy 96 south, just before FM 2245 to Roganville According to first responders on the scene, the driver noticed flames coming from the front of the vehicle. The driver pulled over and was able to exit the vehicle without injury. Roganville Volunteer Fire Department responded with a tanker and quickly extinguished the fire.
Vehicle went into water, driver ok
A driver escaped uninjured after the vehicle he was driving went off of a bridge and into a branch off of Sandy Creek late Thursday afternoon in the Curtis Community. It happened shortly after 4:00 on County Road 139, just south of Farm to Market Road 777. Beech Grove Fire Chief Jamie Gunter said that about three-quarters of the vehicle was submerged when and other firemen arrived at the scene. The Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the accident and a crew from Jasper Towing & Recovery was tasked with pulling the vehicle out of the water. Firemen at the scene said the driver of the late model Jeep Grand Cherokee told them that he swerved to miss a wild hog in the road when the accident occurred. No injuries resulted from the accident.
Woman from Pineland severely injured in wreck near Call
A resident of Pineland received what was reported to be severe injuries on Thursday morning in an auto accident that occurred near Call Junction south of Kirbyville. The accident occurred shortly before 8:00 on Highway 96 at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1004. According to preliminary reports, a 2015 Chrysler 200 was northbound on Highway 96, while a 2019 Dodge Ram truck was southbound, and a 2020 Subaru SUV was at the stop sign on FM 1004. According to first responders, the driver of the Subaru pulled out into the path of the Dodge truck. The driver of the truck attempted to avoid the collision, resulting in the truck crossing into the oncoming traffic lane and colliding head on with the Chrysler. The driver of the Chrysler, identified as 25-year-old Tatyana Lacey, of Pineland, sustained severe injuries and was flown from the scene by medical helicopter to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. The driver of the Dodge truck, 57-year-old Alisa Langley, of Buna, and one adult passenger sustained minor injuries and both were taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital. The driver of the Subaru, 90-year-old Clara Perino, of Kirbyville, was not injured.
