Monday, Sept. 6, just after 3:30 p.m., a Garland police officer stopped a black Honda Accord for a traffic violation. The stop was in the area of Shiloh Road and Northwest Highway. There were three occupants in the Accord. During the initial investigation, officers observed evidence of narcotics inside the vehicle. However, the driver fled at a high rate of speed before officers could further investigate.
Officers attempted to catch up to the Accord but lost sight of it as it sped northbound on Garland Avenue. Officers who were on an unrelated call in the area of Axe Drive and Garland Avenue observed the Accord travel past them at a high rate of speed.
An officer who was in the area of Garland Avenue and Miller Road observed the Accord approach the red light. The officer alerted the drivers of the potential danger by activating his overhead lights and sirens.
The suspect entered the intersection while the light was red. It struck a silver Toyota traveling westbound on Miller Road. The suspect then struck a second vehicle, a black Honda CRV, that was stopped at the red light in the southbound lanes.
Identifications
The silver Toyota was occupied by an adult female driver and her 10-year-old son. The Honda CRV was occupied by an adult female driver. The driver of the CRV suffered minor injuries and was released at the scene.
The adult female driver of the Toyota was pronounced deceased at the scene. The child was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The three occupants of the Accord were also transported to the hospital due to injuries from the crash.
The driver of the Accord is identified as 37-year-old Bobby Lee Murphy of Oklahoma. Murphy remains in the hospital and is facing charges related to evading arrest and the death of the woman.
The deceased female is identified as 28-year-old Karla Rico.
The investigation remains active. Mugshots are not currently available.