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Posts published in “Day: September 17, 2015”

Helipad flight path opens in Crosby

September 17, 2015

CROSBY – Although it has yet to be used, a flight-path to helipad has been put into service here last Saturday, Sept. 12 behind Crosby Volunteer Fire Station #1 on US 90 just after it was finalized.

The helipad is important especially to this area because frequently previously, requests by ambulance crews for helicopter air lifts by Life Flight had to be turned down due to low visibility. Dayton, Liberty, Crosby and Huffman lack radar weather stations to give them a complete picture. Typically they either are grounded because of a low ceiling or make attempts and turn back because the low fog bank near FM 1942 hits abruptly. The theory is the cool canopy line from the trees and moist grass farms mix with the warm air of the bay in Baytown causing this to be a routine weather pattern in the district especially in fall and spring. The Life Flight system estimates they will get 60% of the turned down flight back with this GPS sight because they can land in 1/4 mile viability and a 300 foot ceiling. The new Flight Path gives a GPS take off to landing at the heliport instrument guidance.

The entire system goes back to a conversation between Christy Graves Coordinator of Emergency Medical Services and Jeff Cobb a Life Flight Paramedic for Hermann Memorial at the Texas State EMS Conference a few years ago. Graves had been turned down for 9 much needed Ambulance flights in 4 months. They were networking to determine how to handle the problem of poor weather detection systems in the area.

Other EMS providers nearby may also use the helipad that is owned by the taxpayers of Crosby through the two Emergency Service district tax entities.

Randy Foster of HCESD 80, submitted the paperwork for the helipad. He also provided the particulars of the helipad at the opening of the dedication closing with, “We look forward to many safe landings here.”

Graves opened with a prayer.

Two Lifeflight calls in clear conditions were called into Crosby within an hour the night before landing at different locations than the helipad.

One on the night before two locations one on FM 2100 and one on US 90 requred Life Flight Helicopters in good weather conditions. Had there been gale force winds or fog the helipad would have been used.

Ivey found guilty in Deputy Valdez death Sentenced to 60 Years

September 17, 2015

HOUSTON – The jury that found Kelly Jo Ivey guilty of the death of deputy Jesse Valdez last Thursday, on Friday decided on her sentence. They voted to incarcerate her for 60 years. She will not be eligible for parole for at least 30 years.

Last October 29, 2014 the deputy was killed in a head on collision on East Wallisville Road, and the trial for the defendant Kelly Jo Ivey, began Monday, Sep. 7 of this year.

Last Thursday, she was found guilty of intoxication manslaughter in the death if Deputy Jesse Valdez III in the 2014 car crash.

Kelly Jo Ivey, 29, was under the influence of drugs when the sport utility vehicle she was driving collided head-on into the patrol car driven by Deputy Jesse Valdez III is alleged by Harris County Prosecutors. Prosecutors said Ivey was high on crystal meth at the time of the accident. However, defense attorneys say someone else was driving the night of the accident

Jesse Valdez was traveling eastbound when a westbound Ivey’s SUV crossed into the deputy’s lane of traffic and struck his patrol car.

Valdez’s car spun counter-clockwise into a roadside drainage ditch, and Ivey’s SUV spun into the center of the intersection.

Highlands Volunteer Fire Department & EMS cut the 32-year-old deputy from the crushed vehicle and airlifted him to Memorial Hermann Trauma Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

The new HCSO Substation in Highlands was named for Valdez, the 40th Harris County Sheriff’s Office employee to die in the line of duty.

Ivey was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital for treatment. A male passenger in the SUV was treated at the crash site.

Ivey was charged with intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer and possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine.

It was not the first time she was accused in a drug-related crime.

Authorities say she was released from Texas prison earlier that month after serving part of a two-year sentence on a previous methamphetamine case.

In March 2014, Ivey pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and agreed to the two-year sentence, according to court records. She was released on parole on Oct. 2.

Ivey also served time behind bars in two theft cases, according to court records.