Update for Monday, April 1, 2024

1 CRITICALLY HURT IN FALL AT LAKE SPILLWAY — One person in critical condition was flown to a Fort Worth hospital after reportedly falling in the Lake Bridgeport spillway near Farm Road 1658 Sunday night. The patient was found 150-160 feet down in the rocky terrain between the West Fork of the Trinity River and Lake Bridgeport at around 7 p.m. Wise County EMS deployed its rope rescue team, with two members of Rescue 1 rappelling down the edge to treat and retrieve the patient. The two reached the ground at around 8 p.m. Then additional crews helped hoist the patient and rescue team for initial treatment and transport. The patient was flown to Texas Health Harris Methodist hospital at around 9 p.m. After transporting the first patient, crews then worked to retrieve a second patient who did not appear to have serious injuries. Wise County EMS was joined by Bridgeport Fire Department, Lake Bridgeport Fire Department, Runaway Bay Fire Department, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office and the Wise County Fire Marshal’s Office in the rescue effort.

MULTI-COUNTY CHASE ENDS IN DECATUR — A 19-year-old man was arrested and a five-month-old baby was taken to the hospital after a multi-county police chase was brought to a sudden halt near the Taco Bell in Decatur Friday night. The pursuit began in Clay County after a 2004 Nissan Altima, driven by Dominique Rashad Fraizer-Perez, 19, fled from a traffic stop initiated in Henrietta. There were three occupants in the vehicle during the high-speed pursuit, including a mother and her baby. The mother was on the line with 911 during the chase, and could be heard screaming at the driver to pull over, Wise County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Craig Johnson said. At 6 p.m., Wise County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the chase that was heading south toward Wise County. The Nissan reached speeds that exceeded 100 miles per hour as the chase wound south down U.S. 81/287, starting in Henrietta, then through Montague County, 911 call notes state.  Multiple Clay County units were still in pursuit as the chase neared the Wise County line, with additional units from the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and Decatur Police Department assisting. As the pursuit entered Decatur, Fraizer-Perez took the Farm Road 51 exit. The chase continued south down Business  287 and into the Decatur Walmart parking lot. After crossing a median, the Altima traveled north, crossing into the CVS Pharmacy parking lot before a pit maneuver and a blown front tire brought the Nissan to a stop near Taco Bell on W. Business U.S. 380. The woman and Frazier-Perez were not related. Call notes indicate that the woman told dispatchers that the two met recently through a family member, and that he was giving her a ride to met her mom in Dallas before the pursuit was initiated.There were no apparent injuries from the wreck and chase, but Wise County EMS transported the baby to the hospital out of an abundance of caution, Johnson said. The five-month-old was located in the car seat and appeared to be fine, but there was cause for some concern since the car seat tipped over during the course of the pursuit.The mother was released from the scene to be with her child, Johnson said.Fraizer-Perez was booked into the Clay County Jail Friday with the charge from his original arrest warrant out of Dallas County for unauthorized use of a vehicle and new charges of evading arrest, reckless driving, child endangerment and unlawful possession of a weapon, jail records state.He remained in jail Tuesday on bonds totaling $42,000. 

SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE — Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected late this afternoon and evening, with storms capable of very large hail and possibly tornadoes. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Otherwise it will be warm today with a high around 82.

SOFTBALL TEAM TO HONOR LOCAL HEROES — The Decatur High School Softball team will honor first responders, active duty military and veterans Tuesday. Arrive by 6:15. Varsity game will follow. Contact Susan Gomez, 940-393-9869, to register ahead of time or you can check in at the game.

PLAYOFF SOCCER RESULTS — The Decatur Eagles (14-7) ended their season with a 3-1 4A area playoff loss to Salado Friday at Midlothian Heritage High School. In the nightcap, the Decatur Lady Eagles (17-4-1) were knocked out of the playoffs by Salado for the second consecutive year, 2-1.

INGRAM, TWU FALL IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME — Former Bridgeport star Ashley Ingram recorded 24 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in TWU’s 89-73 loss in the NCAA Division II national championship game Friday at St. Joseph, Missouri.

ELDER EARNS WIN — Decatur native Bryce Elder allowed two hits and struck out seven in 6.1 innings, as the Gwinnett Stripers claimed a 10-0 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Sunday.

SOFTBALL RESULTS — Boyd’s Abby Atkinson collected the team’s two hits Friday, as the Lady Jackets (19-7, 5-3) suffered an 18-1 District 10-3A loss to Whitesboro. Alvord (8-8, 1-6) recorded just one hit in an 18-1 10-2A loss to Muenster.

BASEBALL RESULTS — Troye Baker and Kellen McDaniel recorded two hits and three RBIs each, as Alvord (9-5) improved to 5-1 in District 10-2A with an 18-1 Battle of Texas 1655 rivalry series finale win over Chico (4-9, 0-6) Friday.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP — If you care for, or care about, someone with Alzheimer’s, the Wise Alzheimer’s Support Group will have a virtual meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday. Learn from others and share your experiences. For information on how to participate in the meeting call Richard, 940-255-0244.

FUNERALS — Service for Brian Irwin, 63, of Alvord will be held at a later date. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.

FUNERAL for Ethel Allene Robinson, 77, of Bridgeport is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bridgeport with burial at Thomas Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Hawkins-Decatur.

FUNERAL for Tracey Elizabeth Ivy, 49, of Whitesboro is 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation is 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Hawkins-Decatur.

SERVICE for Rosemary Jones, 75, of London, Ark., is pending at Hawkins-Decatur.

GRAVESIDE service for Robert “Bob” Edward Modlin, 82, formerly of Bridgeport is 11 a.m. today at Thomas Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

GRAVESIDE service for Inez “Nana” Lee, 100, of Paradise is 2 p.m. Thursday for family and close friends at Paradise Cemetery. Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

SERVICE for Gary Barton, 80, of Decatur is pending at Hudson & Torres.