Charges Filed In Trooper Death

Prosecutors in Texas County have filed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Julie Hartman of Houston, who was driving the car that struck and killed Highway Patrol Officer Kelly Poynter. The accident happened early this morning as Poynter was working at the scene of an accident. Prosecutors allege Hartman’s breath test registered .07 three hours after the accident. They claim that means she was likely above the legal limit of drunkenness, .08, at the time of the crash. In response to the death of Trooper Poynter, Governor Bob Holden has ordered all flags at all state facilities to be flown at half-staff this coming Monday.