HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Family and friends of the 28-year-old man killed in a crash last Saturday held a vigil to call for justice.
Ricardo “Ricky” Resendez Jr. was on his way home from work at the airport at about 1:30 p.m. when Houston police said Rigo Vivar drove his Chevy Tahoe the wrong way on Canal Street. Resendez, who was just a block away from home, was turning onto North Live Oak Street and was hit. The 28-year-old was pronounced dead on the scene.
Vivar was later identified as a Precinct 6 deputy but has since been terminated. At the time of the crash, he was on his way to work in his personal car.
At this time, charges have not been filed against Vivar. Resendez’s family is hopeful that will change.
“Every day that we don’t have an answer, we don’t get to rest any easier,” Brenda Resendez, the victim’s sister, said. “We are trying to be as compliant as possible and put our faith in HPD and all those conducting the investigation that they are taking their time because they are doing the best job that they possibly can.”
About 50 people gathered in the Second Ward, the area where Resendez lived, Saturday night to celebrate his memory.
“He should still be here,” his aunt said.
Through tears, family and friends shared stories about the 28-year-old and chanted “Justice for Ricky.”
His mother, Blanca Estela Marquez, said she is grateful for the support of the community as they continue to fight for criminal charges for Vivar and hopes that the support continues.
“It could be another family in the future, and we want to prevent this for everyone,” Marquez said. “All of us who are out — at any time – we leave our homes healthy, safe, and we want to return because there’s a family waiting for us.”
ABC13 spoke with Vivar outside his home days after the crash. While choking back tears, he said he wanted the Resendez family to know he was sorry.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A former nurse at Houston Methodist Hospital has lost her license and been sentenced for stealing drugs at work, charging documents revealed.
ABC13 first reported on 25-year-old Alexis McNeilly last December after police accused her of stealing drugs like fentanyl and hydromorphone at work.
According to District Attorney Kim Ogg, McNeilly would swap the empty drug vials with salt water and return them to be dispensed.
Prosecutors say surveillance video showed her stealing the drugs at least 11 times.
On Tuesday, McNeilly pleaded guilty to two counts of diversion of a controlled substance and was taken into custody. She has been sentenced to 120 days in the Harris County jail, and four years of probation.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The University of Houston’s football team suffered a 27-7 loss against the UNLV Rebels in a home season opener on Saturday evening.
At halftime, UH went scoreless at the half being down 14-0 vs. UNLV.
In the final minute of the fourth quarter, the Cougars scored with a 2-yard touchdown by wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV, narrowing the margin 27-7 after a scoreless 1st three quarters.
Saturday marked Houston’s second season in the Big 12 Conference, and the debut of UH football head coach, Willie Fritz, who is the reigning two-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Fritz replaced Dana Holgerson, who was fired after five seasons at the coaching helm in November 2023.
UH senior Donovan Smith, who is a Las Vegas, Nevada native, was named the starting quarterback for the Cougar’s football squad, and played against the college football team in his hometown. The 22-year-old also started all 12 games in the 2023 regular season.
In terms of the Coogs’ history vs. UNLV, the team is 3-1.
The Cougars will take on the Oklahoma Sooners on the road in Week 2 at 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 7.
Harris County, Texas (KTRK) — ABC13 has learned that officials have fired the top leader of Harris County Public Health.
Barbie Robinson was relieved of duty on Friday after questions were raised in a Houston Chronicle report about her department hiring a California for-profit company that she reportedly had ties to.
In 2021, DEMA Consulting & Management was hired by Harris County to run two COVID-related projects shortly after Robinson was hired.
By the end of that year, the company would beat out The Harris Center, a state agency dedicated to mental health services, by a fraction of a point to run a new program involving 911.
ABC13’s partners at the Houston Chronicle are raising questions about how a California company landed a $6 million contract with Harris County. Emails obtained by the Chronicle suggested conflicts of interest, including communications before the contract was ever formally awarded.
The report said DEMA seemingly believed they’d been picked for the 911 diversion project before the deal was complete. The timing of the contracts and Robinson’s California connections raised concerns.
A spokesperson for the county said DEMA was not a factor in her dismissal.
Following her termination, DEMA released a statement saying in part, “Despite factually untrue rumors to the contrary, DEMA does not and never had any knowledge of the inner workings of Harris County Public Health.”
Former Harris Center director Shaukat Zakaria spoke to ABC13 on Wednesday and said he was surprised they lost the contract because they put in a lower bid.
“It was odd that a for-profit agency was awarded the contract over a county agency they controlled,” Zakaria explained. “We were all stunned when the email came out that the contract had been awarded, even though it hadn’t. It was our first clue that something was going on. That was one of the reasons I decided to resign after working on the board for eight years.”
Harris County Administrator Diana Ramirez sent ABC13 the following statement on Friday regarding Robinson’s firing:
“Today, I made the difficult decision to dismiss Barbie Robinson from her role as Executive Director of Harris County Public Health. We remain committed to the health and well-being of our community. To ensure continuity of leadership, Deputy County Administrator Leah Barton will step in as Interim Executive Director of Harris County Public Health. We are launching a national search immediately to find a new Executive Director who will continue to drive our mission forward. Our focus remains on serving the people of Harris County in alignment with our countywide goals and guiding principles. I appreciate the hard work of our Harris County Public Health team and their continued commitment during this transition.”
Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were killed Thursday night while riding bikes, struck by a driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, according to police in New Jersey.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the NHL team said in a statement. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player but, more significantly, a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were cycling in Salem County, “close to the fog line of the roadway,” when they were hit from behind by a driver trying to pass another car, according to New Jersey State Police.
The driver, 43-year-old Sean Higgins, had been attempting to pass a slower-moving sedan and SUV in front of him in the northbound lanes. Higgins moved to the southbound lanes and passed the sedan, police said. He was trying to re-enter the northbound lane “when the SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass” the cyclists, police reported.
Higgins then allegedly tried to pass the SUV on the right, and that’s when he struck the brothers, according to police.
Higgins, who told police he had about five or six beers before the crash, failed a field sobriety test, according to the probable cause affidavit. He admitted that his drinking “contributed to his impatience and reckless driving,” the affidavit stated. Higgins is charged with two counts of death by auto, according to police.
Johnny Gaudreau leaves behind his wife and two children. Matthew Gaudreau is survived by his wife, who is pregnant. The brothers also leave behind their parents and two sisters. The Gaudreau brothers’ deaths occurred the night before their sister, Katie, was set to get married, according to their former coaches.
Johnny Gaudreau, a winger, won the Hobey Baker Award in 2014 as the best player in college hockey. He was also a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league’s best rookie, in 2014-15, and was named to the All-Star Game in 2015. He played nine seasons for the Calgary Flames before joining the Blue Jackets for the 2022-23 season. He had 12 goals and 48 assists last season.
“Johnny played the game with great joy, which was felt by everyone who saw him on the ice,” the Blue Jackets said. “He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played—from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement, “While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother, and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path.”
Both brothers played hockey at Boston College.
“It’s shocking,” BC hockey coach Greg Brown said at a news conference Friday. “It’s almost unimaginable to lose them both.”
“The things they could do on the ice were magical. But beyond their talent, they were tremendous teammates,” the coach recalled. “They lit up the room when they walked in.”
“People talk about Johnny as an Olympic player, a world-class talent—but beyond that, he was someone who elevated the level of practice just by being there,” retired BC hockey coach Jerry York added. “Johnny was well-respected by all—the students, the teachers, and certainly by Greg and me. If you asked us to name our favorite players, both of those boys would be among them.”
Before attending BC, the brothers played hockey at Gloucester Catholic High School in their native New Jersey. Matthew Gaudreau later returned to the high school as a hockey coach, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said.
“To every member of the Gaudreau family, please know that the people of New Jersey grieve with you,” Murphy said in a statement.
“Johnny and Matt were incredible hockey players and students, but even more amazing human beings,” Gloucester Catholic High School Principal Thomas Iacovone Jr. said in a statement. “Their loss will be felt forever by the entire Gloucester Catholic community and by me personally. I will continue to pray for them and their families during this unimaginable tragedy.”
The brothers’ uncle wrote in a statement, “Last night, we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers-in-law, two uncles, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends—but truly, two amazing humans.”
The driver made an initial court appearance via Zoom on Friday. He spoke briefly to say he understood the charges and would be hiring his own attorney. His detention hearing is scheduled for Sept. 5.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Nearly two months after Hurricane Beryl, phase one of the debris cleanup is scheduled to wrap up, according to the Houston Solid Waste Management Department.
ABC13 was in the Acres Homes neighborhood near Stuebner Airline and W. Rittenhouse, which is still being marked as still in the first phases of storm cleanup.
Piles of tree limbs and branches could still be seen in the streets.
According to waste management team, since the storm hit, more than 2 million cubic yards of debris has been collected.
Damage assessment was completed in various areas of Houston to see where the most debris had landed. In several neighborhoods, debris littered the streets for days to the point where drivers were unable to leave the area.
A month later, a Kingwood neighborhood looked as if the storm had hit that same day, still leaving residents frustrated and confused.
Saturday, according to officials, phase two begins, and the city will make a second sweep to collect any leftover piles of debris.
Officials are asking residents to pile any remaining and storm related trash on the curb, and separate bulk waste and construction garbage, as every road will be checked.
FILE – Bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas, surround Big Tex as storm clouds move in above, Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
DALLAS, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to block a ban on firearms at the State Fair of Texas, one of the state’s biggest annual celebrations.
Fair organizers earlier this month announced a ban on guns after a shooting last year on the 277-acre (112-hectare) fairgrounds in the heart of Dallas. The move drew swift criticism from Republican state lawmakers, who have proudly expanded gun rights in recent years. Paxton, a Republican, threatened to sue if the ban was not repealed.
Paxton said Texas allows gun owners to carry firearms in places owned or leased by government entities unless otherwise prohibited by law. Fair Park is owned by the City of Dallas, which contracts with the State Fair of Texas for the management of the annual fair.
Paxton called the the ban an illegal restriction on gun owners’ rights. Texas allows people to carry a handgun without a license, background check or training.
“Neither the City of Dallas nor the State Fair of Texas can infringe on Texans’ right to self-defense,” Paxton said.
In a statement, the city government of Dallas said it is “aware of the lawsuit filed by the State of Texas and disagrees with the allegations against the City and interim city manager. The City was not involved in the State Fair of Texas’ announcement of its enhanced weapons policy. The State Fair of Texas is a private event operated and controlled by a private, non-profit entity and not the City.”
State fair officials did not immediately respond to email requests for comment.
The fair, which reopens in September and lasts for nearly a month, dates back to 1886. In addition to a maze of midway games, car shows and the Texas Star Ferris Wheel – one of the tallest in the U.S. – the fairgrounds are also home to the annual college football rivalry between the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A 19-year-old woman is in jail after police say she beat up and carjacked an 81-year-old man, before leading police on a chase in the stolen car.
Police said the victim was waiting for his wife outside the CVS at Westheimer and Woodland Park just after 2 p.m. on Wednesday when Keyanna Washington approached and sat down in the seat next to him.
Washington is accused of ordering him to drive her somewhere and telling him she had a gun.
When the victim refused, police say she began assaulting him.
He finally surrendered his car, and police say she drove off in it.
A short time later, officers say they spotted her driving on the South Loop near Braeswood and pursed her at high speeds into Meyerland.
According to police, she eventually stopped when she got a flat tire, but then tried running on foot before they were able to arrest her.
Washington’s bond was set at $75,000 during her court appearance on Thursday.
She’s already out on bond for allegedly stealing her stepfather’s car on July 14.
Ahead of Labor Day weekend, officials are warning those headed to Texas’ beaches about fireworms.
If you come across one, officials advise you to avoid touching it. Their sting leaves a burning sensation that can last for hours, and their venom can make you feel sick or dizzy.
According to scientists, several of them have washed up on beaches near Corpus Christi and Port Aransas.
A researcher from the Harte Research Institute found one attached to a log along the coast.
Fireworms move around by hitching rides on logs. They feast on gooseneck barnacles.
If one of these worms leaves its poisonous spike in your skin, you are recommended to use adhesive tape to remove it.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A low pressure disturbance just offshore from Galveston will continue to swing scattered showers through Southeast Texas over the long holiday weekend.
We’re starting the day off in the mid-70s with scattered showers, especially near the coast. Temperatures will warm to near 90, allowing for heavy showers and a few thunderstorm to pop up in the late afternoon hours. Your chance of getting rain is 40%, and most showers should move through quickly from the north and northeast, keeping rain totals generally less than 1/4 of an inch. Rain chances will be higher near the coast, especially from Galveston to the Texas-Louisiana border.
What is the weather outlook for Sunday and Labor Day?
The low pressure over the Gulf of Mexico should start pushing pack toward the upper Texas coastline on Sunday, boosting rain chances to 60%. It is then predicted to move closer to Matagorda Bay by Labor Day, which would put most of Southeast Texas in a very moist tropical flow. That will push the rain chances up to 80%. Have a backup plan in case any day turns into a washout, and at a minimum, know where you could go to seek shelter from a heavy thunderstorm. Of course, when thunder roars, go indoors! Temperatures will remain in check with lows in the mid-70s and highs generally in the upper 80s. Where it rains heavily, temperatures will stay stuck in the 70s.
Are there any cool fronts on the horizon?
We actually see signs that front may enter Southeast Texas toward the end of next week, which would push the tropical moisture into the Gulf of Mexico and drop our rain chances to less than 20%. As the air dries out, highs will again top the 90 degree mark, but lows will push closer to 70 degrees. If the front comes in stronger than expected, we could even get some morning lows in the 60s!
What are you tracking in the tropics?
In addition to the low pressure over the Gulf, we are also monitoring two tropical waves in the Atlantic, one of which has a 40% chance for development over the next 7 days. This wave in the central Atlantic could end up as a named storm in the Gulf of Mexico during the 2nd week of September and bears watching. Head to our daily Tropical Update page for the latest on what’s happening in the tropics.
