From the Houston Chronicle: (and thanks to Tom Wald for putting this out this morning on the BIKE email list)
Authorities found the ladder truck driver, Warren Ducote, at fault for the crash that injured 11 people. They say he ran a red light. A police official said on Saturday it was too early to tell whether Ducote would face criminal charges.
Both Houston Fire Department trucks were en route to what firefighters thought was a blaze but turned out to be a Houston public works crew smoke-testing sewer lines.
Ducote ran a red light while headed northbound on Dunlavy and was broad-sided by a pumper truck westbound on Westheimer.
on Apr 15th, 2009 at 8:31 am
I’m not sure where Austin on Two Wheels gets their information from, but the investigation isn’t finish, and Ducote hasn’t been found at fault, IF he is found at fault. Nor has Ducote been cited.
The media, including this website, have been misinformed and is speaking way out of context. Now that they put it in print, there could be grounds for a slander suit…and don’t put it past him.
on Apr 15th, 2009 at 8:56 am
We are simply reporting a direct quote form the Houston Chronicle story, the paper of record for the City of Houston. We made no comments on the guilt or innocence of the driver in question. If you have a beef, take it up with the Chronicle.
on May 11th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Warren Ducote is a neighbor in our neighborhood, here in Willis. Everyone on West Shore Drive, can’t stand to be near him. He’s an obnoxious drunk who thinks he’s above the law. Just last week he was bragging how nothing is going to happen to him, that the HFD was going to take care of it. He said it was just one less Ellen to have to deal with anymore. Everyone I know despises him, and just wishes he was put in his place, and has to come to grips with what he has done in killing this poor girl. Warren Ducote is a real douche bag in my eyes, period.
on Jun 3rd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I work for the Houston Fire Department and live in the Twin Shore Subdivision with Warren. I have known Warren for over 20 years and I can assure you that the above statement is nothing more that a malicious and spiteful lie. Warren is very well liked in this neighborhood and as a mater of fact has been elected and has served for over ten years on the Property Owners Association with three of those years as the President of the POA. Warren is one of the nicest and kindest people that I know. He will help anyone at anytime. The statement about Warren making unkind remarks about the young lady killed in the accident is absolutely false. I have spoken with Warren many times about the accident and the only thing he has ever said about the victim was that when he met with the family, he found them to be very gracious and kind.
Warren has been blame in the media for the accident before the investigation ever began. Since then there have been a few revelations concerning the collision between Ladder 16 and Engine 7
#1 – Engine 7 did change the Opticom system turning Ladder 16’s light from green to red. The investigating police officer confirmed the Opticom did time stamp.
#2 – The lady in the white car that stated the ladder truck had a red light had changed her story after she hired a lawyer. Both crew members on Ambulance 33 have both confirmed that this same lady on the day of the accident said that the ladder truck had a green light.
#3 – The Office of Emergency Communications after downloading the GPS tracing information found that the Ladder 16 was traveling at 18 mph at the time of the collision.
#4 – The Office of Emergency Communications after downloading the GPS tracing information found that Engine 7 was traveling at 52 mph before the time of the collision and that the speedometer on the Engine froze at 46mph at the time of impact.
To the individual that posted the above comment: You have serious issues and you really should seek out professional psychiatric help!