LPD Releases Information on the Livingston Raceway Incident, LIVINGSTON, December 30, 2013 - On December 30, 2013, the Livingston Police Department released the following press release regarding an incident that occurred at the Livingston Raceway on December 28th that resulted in a woman being flown to Houston with serious injuries:
The Livingston Police Department was dispatched to the Raceway convenience store located at 1605 West Church Street on December 28,2013 at approximately 1:00 a.m. in regards to a fight in the parking lot. Upon the officer's arrival it had been determined that a female victim had been struck in the parking lot by a white Chevrolet truck driven by a white male and had left the scene of the accident. The white Chevrolet truck was later located and stopped on Highway 59 South by assisting agencies and the driver was detained and brought back to the scene along with his vehicle. The driver was later identified as James Hairm Dobbs(28) of Austin, Texas. The female victim was later identified as Kimberly Gradney who was treated at the scene by EMS with incapacitated injuries and was later transported to Herman Hospital via Life Flight helicopter. According to witnesses the incident started when Dobbs vehicle possibly struck another vehicle driven by Jordan Oates of Leggett, while traveling on Hwy 190 West. The parties pulled into the Raceway parking lot to exchange information when a male passenger in Oates vehicle identified as James Coy Munson(26) of Livingston, got out and began a physical altercation with Dobbs. During the course of the fight, Dobbs attempted to leave the scene and while doing so struck Gradney. The Livingston Police Department took Dobbs into custody for leaving the scene of a accident that resulted in serious bodily injury and Munson was charged with Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct. The investigation is continuing by the Livingston Police Department and more charges and arrests could follow pending toxicology reports.
Original Story Below
28 year old James Dobbs of Livingston, sits in the back of a police car in the parking lot of Raceway in Livingston. Dobbs allegedly ran over 24 year old Kimberly Gradney.
Driver Allegedly Runs Over Woman, Flees Scene, Gets Caught, LIVINGSTON, December 28, 2013 - Shortly after 2 am December 28, 2013, a situation that, according to witnesses, started at Buster McNutty's in Livingston, concluded in the parking lot of Raceway service station. In the aftermath, a young woman (Kimberly Gradney, 24, of Austin) had been run over and was flown to Houston with serious injuries. Kimberly Gradney recently moved from Livingston to Austin.
What Allegedly Happened...
According to one of Gradney's friends, two Livingston men were making passes at Gradney and herself at Buster McNutty's. The girls apparently weren't interested in the men and left Buster McNutty's and drove to Raceway service station. The two men allegedly followed them in a truck to Raceway. At some point, a fight broke out with Gradney and her friend involved and Kimberly Gradney was run over. The driver (James Dobbs, 28, of Livingston) fled the scene and headed south on nearby US-59.
James Dobbs Stopped by Sheriff's Deputy...
James Dobbs was stopped less than a mile later by Sergeant David Ramsey with the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Ramsey brought Dobbs back to the scene of the incident where, by this time, Officer Dallas Early with Livingston Police Department was on the scene and got some assistance from Deputy Randy Turner with the Polk County Sheriff's Office. In the meantime, Kimberly Gradney was driven to Livingston Memorial Hospital where a medical helicopter landed and flew her to Hermann Hospital in Houston. Detective Leon Middleton with the Livingston Police Department was dispatched to the scene and began an investigation. James Dobbs was placed under arrest for fleeing the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury. Dobbs' friend, James Munson, 26, of Livingston was placed under arrest for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Dobbs' vehicle was towed by Ken's Towing and will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston
Officer Dallas Early with Livingston PD speaks with Gradney's friend. The woman has blood visible on her clothes. Sergeant David Ramsey with the Polk County SO is pictured at right.
Dobbs' friend, 26 year old James Munson, of Livingston, was placed under arrest for disordery conduct and public intoxication (Officer Tito Reyes pictured placing Munson under arrest).
This Chevy truck is what Dobbs was driving when he allegdly ran over Gradney.
Houdini watches from the truck.
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