College Station Faces Surge in DWI Arrests, Tragic Crashes, and Community Concerns

College Station Police Busy with Recent Incidents

Another DWI Arrest Sparks Concerns

In a busy night for law enforcement, College Station police responded to a report of a pickup truck found stuck in a ditch on Harvey Mitchell Parkway early in the morning on December 7th. They arrested Juan Ocampo, a 50-year-old man, after he failed multiple field sobriety tests. This isn’t Ocampo’s first encounter with the law; he has two prior DWI convictions from 2004 and 2010, making this a serious situation as he faced his fifth time being held by immigration authorities.

A Cautionary Tale of Unauthorized Vehicle Use

In another strange turn of events on December 9th, a contractor’s expensive truck was taken for a joy ride. The truck, valued at a whopping $150,000, was reported missing for driving just a few blocks down the road. Its unauthorized driver, Marcus Jemal Jones, 34, claimed he had permission to drive it, but couldn’t name who gave him the green light. Officers were tipped off thanks to a witness who spotted the truck in the area near Sue Haswell Park, complete with lowered traffic safety devices and flashing emergency lights. Jones was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and was still in jail as of December 12th, waiting on a $5,000 bond.

Tragic Crashes on Local Roads

This past week, Brazos County roads have seen their fair share of tragedies. On December 11th, another fatal accident occurred involving two pickup trucks, leading to the death of Joshua Huffman, a 21-year-old man from Lucedale, Mississippi. The investigation revealed that Huffman’s vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic on FM 2223, resulting in a collision that left one driver dead and another seriously injured, now recovering in a local hospital.

Just nights later, on the same day, another devastating crash took place on Highway 21, where a truck lost control while navigating a curve at unsafe speeds. This truck rolled multiple times, tragically ejecting the driver, who has yet to be identified due to ongoing efforts to locate his family. His passport from Honduras complicates matters as authorities continue searching for his next of kin.

Long-awaited Justice in Midland

On a different note, justice has had its twists and turns in Midland, Texas, where Jesse Hughes, a 60-year-old man accused of violating his probation, was arrested after living outside the radar for more than 13 years. Hughes, who pled guilty to his third DWI in February 2002, failed to follow the terms of his probation and was only caught in September 2023. His journey through the legal system ended with him returning to court last week, where he awaited a two-year prison sentence.

Residents in Distress Seek Help

While the police have their hands full with these pressing matters, Wanda Watson, a Brazos County commissioner, continues to voice her concerns for residents at the Southgate Village apartments in College Station. Living conditions at the complex have been described as “deplorable”, with some families going without basic necessities like water and natural gas, especially during the recent cold weather. Watson has called for volunteers to help support these residents, who fear speaking out due to potential repercussions. With ongoing issues, the commissioner is advocating for community help as city officials work tirelessly to improve the situation.

With College Station facing these various incidents, it’s a testament to the challenges many local communities encounter daily as they rally together to support those in need.