Lynda Arnold, 68, former mayor of Northlake and a Denton County justice of the peace, lost her life in a vehicular accident on January 5. Arnold wrote Trails, Trials, and Tears: The Life and Legacy of Texas Lil about her ranch, the Star-Telegram reported.

Her death occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. on U.S. Route 287 near the Blue Mound Road exit in northwest Fort Worth. According to Fort Worth police Sergeant Marc Povero, another southbound vehicle rear-ended Arnold’s vehicle. A Tarrant County medical examiner declared Arnold dead at the scene of the accident.

Arnold owned a successful tourism business, but she faced arrest on a felony charge of tampering with evidence in 2004. Although a grand jury did not indict her, she went bankrupt after the accident. According to her son, Trace Arnold, “She went the way she would have wanted, quick, painless and not long, drawn-out painful illness.” He added “There are going to be some new boots and hats in heaven today.”

Thirty-one-year-old Seadrift, Texas resident Margarita Lissett Galeana pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter and an accident involving personal injury or death. Her sentencing occurred on Thursday, September 15 in relation to the death of 34-year-old Emily Jean Brown. Galeana must serve two 12-year jail terms for the charges; however, she can serve her terms concurrently.

Investigators found Brown’s body in a flipped 2001 Oldsmobile after she drowned in Chocolate Bayou in Brazoria County. In a news release, Calhoun County District Attorney Dan Heard said the women were drinking in Port Lavaca prior to the crash. While navigating home, Galeana drove into the bayou after running a stop sign. She exited the sinking car and managed to hitch a ride back to Seadrift. Once home, she reported the Oldsmobile as stolen. Galeana did not mention to anyone that she left Brown in the sinking car.

If someone you love was the victim of intoxication manslaughter caused by the irresponsible actions of others, you deserve financial compensation. Do not hesitate to get in touch with the personal injury accident attorneys at The Benton Law Firm. Call our Dallas offices at (214) 219-4878 to schedule an appointment with a qualified member of our legal team.

Waller County Jail will pay $1.8 million to settle the wrongful death lawsuit lodged by the family of Sandra Bland. The Texas Department of Public Safety will pay the remaining $100,000. Sandra Bland lost her life while imprisoned in Waller County Jail after a controversial traffic stop and arrest last year.

The jail will also implement changes regarding their operations. In particular, they plan to keep emergency nurses on call at all times and make use of sensors to ensure proper monitoring of inmates. Bland was 28 when police found her dead in her jail cell in July 2015. Authorities found her three days after police stopped and arrested her for a minor traffic violation. The officer responsible for her arrest is Trooper Brian Encinia. Authorities ruled her death a suicide.

The attorneys at the Benton Law Firm go out of their way to help their clients win personal injury and wrongful death cases. We respond promptly to emails and phone calls and make it a point to ensure our clients’ worries and doubts regarding their case are assuaged. Call our offices in Dallas, Texas at (214) 219-4878 to see what we can do for you.

Eva Arevalo, the mother of Edgar Rodriguez, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Farmers Branch Police Department Officer Ken Johnson and the city of Farmers Branch in Dallas County. According to The Dallas Morning News, the charges come after Johnson shot and critically injured Rodriguez and killed his friend, Jose Cruz, on March 13, 2016.

Arevalo’s lawsuit states that Rodriguez’s civil rights were violated and that he sustained severe wounds, physical impairment, disfigurement, and emotional distress. The lawsuit further claims that under no circumstances was Johnson justified in shooting Rodriguez, since Rodriguez was raising his arms over his head and had no weapon on him when Johnson shot him.

For his part, Johnson said he saw Cruz and Rodriguez breaking into his 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe to steal the car seats, prompting him to shoot at them. The suit further claims that Chief Sid Fuller failed to give proper training to officers on the police department and that he specifically failed to give proper training to Johnson concerning the proper use of deadly force.

At The Benton Law Firm, we see the anguish, lost income, and physical impairment people suffer after wrongful death tragedies. Our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the victims in this shooting.