By BJ Austin
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-715202.mp3
Dallas, TX – Police Chief David Kunkle began remarks about the fatal crash with condolences to family members some of whom came to police headquarters to listen.
28 year old Eddie Ramirez is facing theft and murder charges after he sped thru a stop sign in North Oak Cliff on Monday, and broadsided the car driven by 83 year old Annie Reyes.
Chief Kunkle says Ramirez - in the stolen car -- spotted police behind him and hit the gas. Officers radioed dispatchers to shut down the bait car's engine. The crash was 20 seconds after the shut down request. There was an as-yet unexplained DELAY in the wireless shut-down command, and the car was never disabled. But Chief Kunkle says at 75 miles an hour, the impact could not have been avoided.
Kunkle: We still think the bait cars are a very valuable tool, and a safer way to arrest auto theft suspects than almost any of the other alternatives.
Edward Leal, grandson of Annie Reyes, wants the Chief to take a serious look at policies and procedures.
Leal: We'll never see my grandmother again, but hopefully they can change something in their procedure that will prevent this from happening.
Chief Kunkle says Ramirez has a dozen arrests on his record, and had been out of prison just three days before the crash. He served more than a year for stealing a Dallas Police Bait Car.