Rep. Joe Moreno killed in accident [Texas State Rep]

Austin American Statesman ^ | Friday, May 06, 2005 | | E Blast

[Arrowhead1952]

Rep. Rafael Anchilla, staff member of third representative hurt in one-car crash in Fayette County

Texas State Rep. Joe Ernest Moreno was killed early today in a one-car accident on Texas 71 in Fayette County; a second state representative and the chief of a staff for a third representative were seriously injured.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials said Moreno, D-Houston, died around 2 a.m. at the scene of the accident between Ellinger and LaGrange.

State Rep. Rafael Anchia, 36, D-Dallas, was taken to Brackenridge Hospital with non life-threatening injuries, officials said.

Monica Lisa Pi�� 28, who is the chief of staff for State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, was also taken to Brackenridge Hospital with broken bones. She reportedly is in fair condition.

DPS investigators said the 2004 pickup truck that Moreno was driving was headed west of Texas 71 when it left the road. The driver apparently over-corrected and entered a ditch, when the truck rolled over several times

[Arrowhead1952]

This just hit my email by E blast from the Statesman.

[Arrowhead1952]

State Rep killed today.

[thoughtomator]

In other news, a Joe Moreno just registered to vote in Milwaukee, Seattle, and Chicago.

[Unknown Freeper]

Earlier thread already in breaking news. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1397836/posts

[Arrowhead1952]

I missed that thread.

[DrewsDad]

Prayers for comfort for Joe's family and healing for the others recovering.

[US_MilitaryRules]

DUI?

[MeekOneGOP]

May he rest in peace.

[deport]

May 6, 2005, 8:34AM

Houston lawmaker killed in wreck

By S.K. BARDWELL
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

Associated Press photos

Killed: State Rep. Joseph Moreno, D-Houston

Injured: State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas

State Rep. Joe Moreno, D-Houston, was killed in an overnight traffic accident near La Grange, officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety said today.

Moreno, who was first elected to represent Houston's east side in1998, was traveling east on Texas 71 when the wheels of his pickup truck evidently slipped off the road's shoulder, said DPS reports.

Reports indicate Moreno overcorrected to get the truck back on the road, sending it into a center median which caused the truck to flip end-over-end several times.

 Moreno died at the scene of the accident.

Moreno's passengers, State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, and Monica Pinon, chief of staff for State Rep. Joseph Pickett of El Paso, were treated for minor injuries at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin and later released, officials said.

All three of the truck's occupants were wearing seat belts.

Moreno, 40, had recently been working with other Democrats to toughen state laws governing air pollution.

Moreno, a Houston native who graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1987, was Democratic chairman of Harris County Precinct 62 from 1994 to 1998. He worked as a legislative aide to District 143 Rep. Al Luna and ran for that post the first time, unsuccessfully, in 1992, before being elected to it in 1998. Moreno also served as chief of staff for District 148 state Rep. Jessica Farrar.

A spokeswoman for Farrar said the representative was with family and friends and not available for comment on Moreno's death.

[Niteranger68]

I heard they were out on a date.

[Rumplemeyer]

Don't forget all towns in Hudson County New Jersey.

[Dog Gone]

I do NOT volunteer to be a pallbearer. That would be some heavy lifting.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Why were they out at 2am?

[FreedomCalls]

Wasn't he one of the ringleaders of the group who ran and hid out of state to halt redistricting two years ago?

[Arrowhead1952]

Yes, he was one of the run and hide gang.

[Dog Gone]

They were driving back to Austin after watching the Rockets game last night in Houston.

[dc-zoo]

He could have won a Jerry Nadler look-a-like contest.

[Arrowhead1952]

Nope, they were coming back from the Rockets and Mavericks basketball playoff game last night.

[sinkspur]

Sounds like a "dozed off" situation. Likely everybody else in the truck was asleep.

Unfortunately this happens more than most folks realize.

[Night Hides Not]

DUI?

Not to sound crass, but you can't ask that question. It's a cultural thing with Hispanic Democrats.

How do I know? I lived in El Paso for 20 years. I also married into an Hispanic family, but they're almost all Republicans now.