Here's a daily list of recent activities drawing the attention of North Texas law enforcement. List compiled on Aug. 28, 2009.
PREGNANT TEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AND LOSES BABY
A pregnant teenager in Bedford is in critical condition after she was struck by lightning and lost her baby. The 19-year-old was reportedly just a few steps from her front door when she was struck. She was revived at Parkland Hospital in Dallas but her child didn't make it. The teen is currently in critical condition, KRLD reports.
WRONG-WAY DRIVER KILLED IN OVERNIGHT CRASH
A wrong-way driver who tried to evade police died after slamming head-on into an 18-wheeler on Highway 121 overnight. The driver of a purple 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of SH 121 just after 2 a.m. Haltom City police say the driver couldn't avoid the 18-wheeler and struck the rear axles separating them from the trailer. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Traffic was diverted in the area during morning rush hour while the crash was cleared.
"PERSON OF INTEREST" TURNS HIMSELF IN DENTON WOMAN'S MURDER
A man considered "a person of interest" in the investigation into the murder of a Denton woman turned himself in to police in Ellis County on Thursday. William Xu, 47, walked into the Palmer police department and told officers he killed people. Officers determined he was the "person of interest" in the death of Ying Ying "Jennifer' Maik, the 55-year-old woman shot inside her Denton home Wednesday night. Police say Maik and Xu worked together at the University of North Texas. Read more here.
POLICE INVESTIGATE BUMP AND ROB SHOOTING
A Dallas man is recovering after he was shot in a failed robbery attempt. Police say the man was driving on Second Ave. in Dallas when his pickup was rear-ended by two men in a small black car. The pickup truck driver pulled into a shopping center at 2nd and Hatcher to survey the damage. That's when the two men tried to rob him, according to police. The man, in his 50's, was shot in the leg as he tried to run from the robbers, he them drove several blocks until police found him, and he was taken to Baylor Hospital in serious condition.
SPCA OFFERS $5,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION IN MUTILATED CATS CASE
The SPCA of Texas is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who has information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for mutilating and killing cats in Northwest Dallas. The SPCA points out that animal cruelty is often an early warning sign of violent tendencies that can become directed at people. To report cruelty or abuse, call 214-742-SPCA (7722) or visit www.spca.org/abuse.
