TruckingIndustry.news

Truck Driver Shot at Houston Hotel, Tries to Find Help

by Jana Ritter - Published: 4/29/2016

A string of truck driver homicides have been occurring across the U.S. recently and the latest incident happened in Houston, TX where a truck driver was shot and killed Friday morning. Just three weeks ago, a truck driver was found dead from gunshot wounds in his cab in Polk County, NC and on March 8th,  another truck driver was killed at a truck stop in Sumner, WA. While the incidents are likely unrelated, they’re certainly tragic reminders for truck drivers to take caution while alone on the job.

                                                               police sirens

In other news
January 05, 2018 - Trucker Faces 20 Years After Pleading Guilty To Smuggling Alien Found Dead In Locked Toolbox
January 02, 2018 - Police Identify 2 Oregon Truck Drivers Killed In Fiery Head-On Crash
December 27, 2017 - Iowa First Of Eight States To Debut New Truck Parking Information System

Houston police said Friday’s incident occurred at around 4:30am and started at the Sun Suites Extended Stay hotel in the 12400 block of the Gulf Freeway. According to investigators, truck driver Alex Benson, got into an altercation with one or two individuals and someone opened fire on him. The 48 year-old truck was shot, but police say he managed to get into his truck and drive away from the scene. Benson then drove to an overpass on the Gulf Freeway near Almeda Mall, where he stopped the truck and got out. The most tragic part of the story is that Benson had been stumbling along the road, trying to get help, but instead he fell 15 feet off the overpass and landed in a U-Turn lane below.

                                                               truck driver shot in Houston

Benson was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the neck and his 18-wheeler was located on the Gulf Freeway with a gunshot through its windshield. Houston police quickly began to investigate the homicide and within hours they narrowed their search to two suspects who had fled the hotel parking lot in a blue Dodge sedan. They were described only as "a black man and a white woman." However, it’s since been reported that police were able to track the suspects down and brought them in for questioning. Police are also trying to determine if the truck driver’s shooting is related to another shooting that happened in the same area earlier Friday morning.

HPD are asking anyone with information related to these shootings to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.


John Evans
John Evans
Shooting happened at a hotel, driver attempted to drive away. Suspects are male and female and this happened at a hotel...hmmmm...could it possibly be that our sainted trucker tried to conduct a "business" transaction and got jammed up? He wasn't even in the fucking truck to start with, from what the original news story reported...
Terrell Zen Mabry
Terrell Zen Mabry
That's what it looks like to me
John Evans
John Evans
First thing I thought when I actually "READ" the story...if I'm wrong I'll admit it but I don't think I am.
Wayne Olson
Wayne Olson
First thought I had ho or dope
Rick Kempke
Rick Kempke
That's what I was wondering.
Peggy Frangione
Peggy Frangione
Then someone please explain the bullit hole in the windshield?? Things don't make sense in this article......
Danny Tobar
Danny Tobar
In the first place they need to let us truck drivers carry a pistol , I remember hauling a million dollar load they would tell us not to stop anywhere we had to drive directly to the store which was only 200 miles .we need to protect our self..
Justin Hoke
Justin Hoke
You are allowed, it's the companies that try And tell you your not
Danny Tobar
Danny Tobar
Doesn't each state have different laws? I know in Texas you can have it in your truck but like you say it's the businesses that won't let you.
Rick Kempke
Rick Kempke
It's usually the company that doesn't want you to carry. If your company would let you then as long as you had your concealed carry license then all you have to do is follow each States specific laws for concealed carry.
Tj Collier
Tj Collier
Its also the customers you deal with that usually don't allow weapons s on property. There is no law saying we can't carry, I have spoken to the state police here and they said it is not a law its up to the employer on whether you can or not.
Danny Tobar
Danny Tobar
I talked to a state trooper and he said that it's not against the law ,if you have a sleeper it's considered a homestead.and therefore you can carry a pistol with out a permit. I haul crude oil out here by the Border at night and it gets pretty scary. .go to YouTube and look up "the journey to the land of milk and honey " that's a video I took back in July 2015..
Lyle Zitske Sr
Lyle Zitske Sr
Good Lord man, carry a gun. Protect yourself. Look it up. You can carry. You come before the company u drive for, no matter what they say. It's for liability that a company says no.
Lyle Zitske Sr
Lyle Zitske Sr
Also, yes, we've all seen the signs regarding no weapons on this property. Lie. No one is going to search your truck. Liability on the shipper/receiver also dictates this. No load is more important than you. The upper hand here, is that most perpetrators believe that we can't carry also.
Johnny Ohhsofresh Wheeler
Johnny Ohhsofresh Wheeler
U can carry if ur state permit is recipical to other states......no ny or nj thou
Agustin Soto
Agustin Soto
You will not violating any law if you carry. Be advise that you have to be doing only business trips. If you stop to visit someone then you are to follow that state laws. Trust me, been there done that.
Terrell Zen Mabry
Terrell Zen Mabry
Hell im on the border right now, I look at it like this, ill rather need it and have it than need it and not have it, if im breaking any laws ill deal with that after the fact... ill be alive
Paul Martin
Paul Martin
I carry 45 with me all the dam time.
Nicholas A Lybarger
Nicholas A Lybarger
Seriously? Cause some states will put you in jail for carrying a gun, I'm with you but I stopped carrying cause I don't want to be put in jail. Trucking provides for my family and I guess my life isn't good enough to carry. Ish you got me thinking about it again!!!!
Nicholas A Lybarger
Nicholas A Lybarger
Agustin Soto where can I print that out? Cause that's the ticket there
Agustin Soto
Agustin Soto
Nicholas A Lybarger look for this book. It will explain to you everything on each state.
Agustin Soto
Agustin Soto
Nicholas A Lybarger
Agustin Soto
Agustin Soto
Nicholas A Lybarger some states requires only for you to disclose if your carrying upon officer request. I bought a secure box that is attach to a secure place inside the cab. That way they can't say is easily available.
Tami Potirala
Tami Potirala
You can carry
Craig Wilson
Craig Wilson
Johnny ohdumb trucker you can carry in ny and nj dumbass.
Tami Potirala
Tami Potirala
How
Tami Potirala
Tami Potirala
They are arresting people for carrying in those states
Craig Wilson
Craig Wilson
There is no law saying you cant carry in ny or nj. You just need their permit.
Craig Wilson
Craig Wilson
I have never been arrested in ny. And i always carried there. And in nj the trucker was arrested because he didnt have it secured per their law.
Tami Potirala
Tami Potirala
That's the problem. I already have a permit but they don't acknowledge anyones
Beth Howells
Beth Howells
two suspects who had fled the hotel parking lot in a blue Dodge sedan. They were described only as "a black man and a white woman." However, it’s since been reported that police were able to track the suspects down and brought them in for questioning. Police are also trying to determine if the truck driver’s shooting is related to another shooting that happened in the same area earlier Friday morning.
Michael Eldred
Michael Eldred
This seems to have become an monthly event since those threats started among Al Sharptons speeches of Hate.. These Hate groups put targets on those just trying to make a living.
Michael Eldred
Michael Eldred
Scott Jennings i notice your banner picture,, do you know of ,, William Tell Story?
John Evans
John Evans
Y'all need to loosen up the tinfoil hats SMH...
Michael Eldred
Michael Eldred
I use two ply man,,
John Evans
John Evans
Truckers have been getting robbed and shot WELL before any of the events you two mentioned. Target of opportunity, road rage, or illicit transaction gone bad are the usual motivations, NOT "kill da crackas," although that doesn't fit the narrative of those y'all follow.
Michael Eldred
Michael Eldred
True, just alot more currently over this last few years,.
John Evans
John Evans
Doubtful...just like all other evils the 24-hour news cycle simply gets it out there
Tony Lazzara
Tony Lazzara
These animals aren't afraid of being caught , death penalty or life in prison ,they don't care , they have no soul
Caleb Mccay
Caleb Mccay
Then we should put 'em down once and for all.
Wayne Olson
Wayne Olson
Free food and shelter, what's not to love if your a leach
Roadway Shenanigans
Roadway Shenanigans
This is really sad.. Houston is a terrible place in general... and its a good rule to avoid it unless you absolutely have to be there...
Donald Gough
Donald Gough
Time to carry. If you dont take your chances.
Sergie Pinede
Sergie Pinede
We need to be able to bare arms in truck due to we have alot of shit going on against truckers fuck the rules of no arms stay ready carry a bullet hammer
Steven Hill
Steven Hill
Need to know more bout that an yes I carry
Kendal Nawadny
Kendal Nawadny
Real simple. Don't hem me up and you won't die
Donnie Crawford
Donnie Crawford
This is sad, prayers to his family. Hope thay catch the scumbags that did this.
George Fiebe
George Fiebe
Sad.
Matthew Fields
Matthew Fields
Proberly the cartel
Sergie Pinede
Sergie Pinede
No cartel 2 black guys and white woman seems to be a date deal gone wrong or drug but bet date deal gone wrong sir
Matthew Fields
Matthew Fields
Oh ok
Sergie Pinede
Sergie Pinede
R.i.p to driver