TxDPS Press Release

Driver Attempt to Avoid Animal Results in Crash on U.S. Highway 96 North

April 5, 2025 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 96, north of Center, that occurred Thursday, April 3, 2025.
 
The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 8:35am, a 1997 Dodge Ram Van driven by Luis Hernandez, 18, of Center was traveling north. It is reported that the driver of the Dodge took faulty evasive action to avoid striking a dog, left the roadway to the right, and over-turned onto its right side.   
 
Hernandez was not injured.
 

Jeep Strikes Tree on FM 417

April 4, 2025 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle crash on State Farm-to-Market Road 417, east of Center, between Forest Service Road 143 and CR 2340 that occurred Thursday, April 3, 2025.

The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 6:20am, a 2011 Jeep Patriot driven by Kenneth Smith, 18, of Shelbyville was traveling west. It is reported that the driver of the Jeep fell asleep, drove onto the wrong side of the road, entered the barrow-ditch, and struck a tree.

DPS Increases Enforcement for July Fourth Holiday

July 3, 2023 – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Highway Patrol is stepping up enforcement efforts this July Fourth holiday aiming to keep people safe as they celebrate America’s Independence Day.

“We know people will be out celebrating our nation’s freedom and we encourage everyone to do it in a responsible way,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Please be mindful of our state’s traffic laws, be courteous of other drivers on the roads and make safety your first priority so everyone can have a good holiday.”

Texas Department of Public Safety Memorial Construction Start

February 22, 2023 — The memorial recognizes the Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) officers and Texas Rangers who gave their lives to protect their fellow Texans. The memorial is a 77-foot circle of granite with an 11-foot-tall DPS trooper paying respects to a tombstone honoring the first fallen peace officer in Texas, a Ranger. The memorial will also feature three separate granite and bronze panels depicting the history of the DPS and will be engraved with a core value: Protection, Courtesy, and Service.

DPS Encourages Vigilance During National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January 18, 2023 - Human trafficking - the use of force, fraud or coercion in any type of labor exploitation or commercial sex act, or when an individual under the age of 18 is involved in commercial sex - can happen to anyone, anywhere. It occurs in every state, every day and often goes unnoticed by those in the community. To draw attention to those victims, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding Texans to be vigilant as we mark National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

DPS Increases Traffic Enforcement for Thanksgiving Holiday

November 22, 2022 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is stepping up enforcement for the Thanksgiving holiday to ensure people are able to get to and from their celebrations safely. Texas Highway Patrol Troopers will increase enforcement on the roads from Wednesday, November 23, through Sunday, November 27. DPS Troopers will be looking for people not wearing seat belts, driving while intoxicated, speeding and failing to follow the Move Over, Slow Down law, among other traffic violations.

DPS Offers Safety Tips Ahead of Labor Day Holiday

September 1, 2022 – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) encourages everyone to drive safely as they celebrate the unofficial end of summer over the Labor Day weekend. In an effort to reduce crashes, the Texas Highway Patrol will be increasing enforcement from Sept. 2 through Sept. 5, looking for people not wearing their seat belts, speeders, people driving while intoxicated and drivers who fail to follow the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law, among other traffic violations.

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