Shelby County Today

November 27, 2015 - A single-vehicle crash on State Highway 7 has resulted in the death of one man and left another in critical condition.

Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Pete Davis was dispatched to the scene, as well as the West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) and Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers.

When the emergency personnel arrived, a car was on its roof in the middle of the eastbound traffic lanes and one occupant from the vehicle had been ejected. Another remained in the car.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) report, on November 27, 2015 at 1:35am a red 2007 Chevrolet driven by Jamie Pena-Lobato, 32, was traveling east on State Highway 7 1.5 miles east of Martinsville, when the vehicle left the roadway to the right and struck a tree head-on.

Pena-Lobato's passenger, Bicente Fernandez, was ejected from the vehicle into the woods, and upon striking the tree, the car flipped over and came to rest in the middle of the roadway on its roof facing the woods. At the time of the crash, Pena-Lobato was wearing a seatbelt; however, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, at 3:10am. No autopsy was ordered at the scene by Judge Eaves on the unattended death. Pena-Lobato was transported from the scene by Mangum Funeral Home of Center.

Although a life-flight was requested, conditions were not favorable and Fernandez was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. He was later transported to UT Tyler for treatment of his incapacitating injuries, and remains in critical condition.

It was unclear at the scene where Pena-Lobato and Fernandez were from; however, it was suspected they could live in Nacogdoches or Center.

The WSCVFD directed traffic and remained until the roadway was clear. The crash was investigated by Texas DPS Trooper Taylor Buster, assisted by Texas DPS Trooper Keith Jones. The crash remains under investigation at this time.

November 24, 2015 - Loop 500 and the intersection with State Highway 7 East was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Tuesday, November 24, 2015.

Emergency personnel was dispatched to the scene of the crash at 1:51 pm. According to Center Police Officer Andrew Williams, a light blue Peterbilt truck-tractor owned by Universal Truckload Inc. out of Warren, Minnesota and driven by James Ray Jones, 61, of Linden, Texas failed to stop at the stop sign when exiting Loop 500 and entering State Highway 7 East.

As a result, Jones drove into the path of Frances Alford, of Center who was traveling east in a white GMC Arcadia SUV, which struck the left quarter panel of the Peterbilt and caused major damage to the front of the Arcadia. The Peterbilt came to rest in the middle of the roadway, blocking traffic, and the Arcadia came to rest on the east shoulder of Loop 500.

Alford was traveling with several passengers including a 7-year-old female child, 5-year-old female child, 11-year-old female child, and a 13-year-old male child. All parties involved in the crash from both vehicles refused treatment at the scene by ACE EMS and no injuries were reported to have been sustained as a result of the incident.

Jones was issued a citation for disregard stop sign.

Officer Williams was assisted at the scene by Center Police Officer Jake Gross, Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Kurtes Lawrence, and Texas DPS Troopers Keith Jones and Taylor Buster.

Update: Around 2pm, Demetrius Bennett was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail.

November 24, 2015 - Law enforcement officials from multiple agencies converged on the Timpson Housing Authority located on Archie Street in search of a wanted suspect in the shooting death of a Rusk County man.

Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies were stationed at all streets leading to the location and once Texas Ranger Travis Brazil arrived on scene efforts were put into motion to take Demetrius Terrell Bennett, 19, into custody.

Reports from residents at the scene informed law enforcement Bennett had been knocking on different apartment doors trying to gain access early in the morning. It was indicated by a witness at the scene, a unit he took shelter in belongs to a family member, who was reported to not be home at the time.

Officers donned tactical gear and moved to enter the apartment at 10:40am. Following the announcement of their presence, officers entered the unit only to exit empty handed as Bennett was not to be found inside.

According to a Rusk County Sheriff's Department press release, Bennett is wanted for the murder of an as yet to be named victim who was shot on November 23, 2015 sometime before 10:17pm at a location on CR 3281. Bennett is reported to have fled the scene in one vehicle, but he abandoned it at another location. He was on foot at the apartment complex and has not been reported to be driving another vehicle.

Bennett is considered to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone having information about the whereabouts of Bennett is requested to call the Rusk County Sheriff's Office at 903-657-3581 or their local law enforcement agency.

Officers participating in the attempt to capture at the apartment complex include officers from the Timpson Police Department; Stanley Burgay, Constable Precinct 5; Texas Department of Public Safety; Shelby County Sheriff's Department; Rusk County Sheriff's Department; Tim Barton, Rusk County Constable Precinct 3; and the Garrison Police Department.

November 23, 2015 - The Center Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle on fire Sunday, November 22, 2015 just over two miles south of Loop 500 on U.S. 96 South.

Center Police officers and a Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy also responded to the call. When the emergency personnel arrived at the scene, any threat of fire involving the vehicle was curbed. Although it appeared the vehicle, a maroon Mercury Grand Marquis, had crashed into a tree, it had only driven up to the tree striking it at a slow speed causing no apparent damage.

Evidence at the scene indicated the vehicle had crossed over onto the southbound side of the roadway and traveled on the shoulder before leaving the road to the left. Once the vehicle was against the tree, the accelerator was depressed, revving the vehicle high enough the exhaust pipe caused the grass below the Mercury to ignite and stripping the tread off the right rear tire.

It was determined at the scene, the driver was intoxicated and was placed under arrest. As the officers searched the vehicle, two cigarettes suspected to be soaked in PCP (Phencyclidine) were recovered as evidence.

According to the Shelby County Jail arrest report Melton Garrett, 38, of Shelbyville was arrested by Deputy Chris Benton and charged on November 22, 2015 with possession of a controlled substance - felony 3.