Lating singer seeks tougher charges against alleged drunken driver

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A five-time Latin Grammy nominee says he wants tougher charges against a man he accuses of hitting him with a car.

Jessee Camacho was walking near El Franco Lee Community Center Park when he was hit by the vehicle. He suffered broken bones.

Eyewitnesses say they had to chase down the driver to get him to stop. In the end, the driver - Andrew Cross - was charged with public intoxication.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and LULAC held a news conference, saying the driver had been drinking at a BBQ cook off that day.

"When I found out it was just a PI. I was shocked because he was driving, that to me is a shocker," Jesse Camacho said.

According to the police report, officers didn't have a witness at the scene that placed cross behind the wheel, which is why he was only charged with public intoxication.

LULAC says the best witnesses were never interviewed by police.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Mom whose kids were found alone on a school bus seeks to regain custody

SPLENDORA, TX (KTRK) -- The woman who left her two children to live alone on a modified school bus while she served time in prison is now out, and defending her actions.

The bus was supposed to be temporary housing until a permanent home could be built. But prison for the parents changed all that. The mother is free now, her children are gone.

Sherrie Shorten is now back in Splendora after more than a year in a Louisiana prison, convicted of embezzlement. But it's not been the homecoming she wanted.

"What you're seeing now is the condition we left it in when we went to jail and I realize we've been gone 16 months, but I spent eight days cleaning," Sherrie said.

Two months ago, what had been a quiet existence for an 11-year-old girl and her five-year-old brother living on a converted bus, cared for at night by a 60-year-old aunt who worked to support them, was suddenly put on the public radar. It was all because of what a postal carrier reported to authorities.

"I thought they were probably abandoned," the worker said at the time.

They were not, but the living conditions were described as deplorable. Now, after scrubbing and cleaning the bus that serves as a home, Shorten said the conditions in which her children and their aunt lived were not exaggerated and she could do nothing about it from prison, giving her an empty feeling.

Now the interior is tidy. The trash in the yard will be picked up. Shorten says she isn't employed, but her job is getting her children back from CPS foster care.

"I want them back home before they go back to school in September so there's an easy transition," she said.

Shorten wants to go to work, generate an income, find an apartment -- anything she says she needs to do to win custody. Next week, for the first time in more than a year she'll see her children, rather than talking to them by phone. The first thing she expects to do...

"Probably cry... Probably cry," she said.

Shorten's legal problems have not ended. Recently a relative accused her of stealing a tax refund check -- something she denies.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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DPS seeks information on hit-and-run crash

  THE WOODLANDS, TX (KTRK) -- A pedestrian remained critical Saturday after being struck by a vehicle, and officials are asking for help in tracking down the driver.

The accident happened around 1:55am Friday on the Intertstate 45 northbound frontage road just north of Rayford Road in Montgomery County.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the victim was riding his bike when an unidentified vehicle struck him and fled the scene.

The victim was transported to Memorial Herman Hospital in The Woodlands. At last check, he was in critical condition.

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call DPS at 281-297-6590.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Neighborhood seeks to stop Freedom Over Texas show

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Thousands of people are looking forward to this year's fireworks show over Houston, but one neighborhood is dreading it, afraid it could end in disaster.

Monday night, the fireworks will launch from Eleanor Tinsley Park. The worried neighbors live close by in the old Sixth Ward. The 17-minute fireworks spectacular that will celebrate the nation's birthday. But just a few blocks from that is Houston's oldest historic neighborhood, which is on edge about the event and the homes. In a city that prides itself on the new, Sixth Ward is an exception. Many of the homes are from the 19th century. But in this drought, that charm raises a concern. "When we're looking at old growth wood that's is already dry and crackling because it's been in our house for a hundred years, it's a tender box," said Larissa Lindsay with the Old Sixth Ward Association. On Monday night, a few blocks from Sixth Ward, the annual Freedom Over Texas celebration will light up the sky, and the homeowners fear a stray spark could spark a fire. There's enough concern that the civic association advised homeowners to have garden hoses hooked up, a fire extinguisher at the ready and a cell phone to call for help in case there is a fire. "We did a lot to save this neighborhood, and we refuse to let it go up in smoke," Lindsay said. The celebration is conducted by pyrotechnic professionals. But to ease neighbors' concerns, the city will provide police to prevent people from parking in the neighborhood to view the fireworks show. That will allow fire trucks entrance should they be needed. "We're going above and beyond into posting additional personnel and fire equipment over in that area," Said Joe Leggio, a fire marshal inspector. Leggio also says Sixth Ward is not in the so-called fallout zone for the detonated fireworks. The president of the Sixth Ward association is still advising neighbors to have garden hoses and fire extinguishers ready to go. Leggio says that's a good idea for anyone during this drought. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Family seeks info in fatal New Year's Eve hit and run

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A grieving family today asked for your help finding the hit-and-run driver who killed their mother on New Year's Eve.

Pena's family said Sunday that was their toughest day -- dealing with the loss of their mother. "Mother's Day was yesterday and that was one of our trying times, the worst day yet that we have to face. Normally we go out to dinner, go out to eat with my mother every Mother's Day, yet couldn't even go out," said Keisha Holmes, Pena's daughter. On Friday, December 31, 2010, at approximately 9:05pm, Mary Jackson Pena and her grandson were traveling southbound on Ella Boulevard when a gray 2003 Chevrolet Malibu occupied by an unknown male and passenger traveling northbound in the 15900 block of Ella Boulevard entered into the southbound lanes and struck Pena's vehicle head on. After the crash, the unknown driver of the Malibu fled by foot southbound on Ella Blvd. and failed to stop and render aid. Pena, her grandson and the passenger of the Malibu were transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. Pena later died at the hospital from her injuries. Pena's grandson and the passenger of the Malibu still remain in the hospital at this time receiving treatment to the injuries they sustained during the crash. The suspect is described as a black male, 5 foot 6 and weighing 220 pounds. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-8477 tips hotline or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org
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