Community Mourns Officer's Death as Driver Charged with Intoxicated Manslaughter
By: Lisa Carr
Updated: April 27, 2009
The Lubbock County Sheriff's Office is speaking out just days after a tragic car crash kills one their own in the line of duty. Officials say the man who caused the wreck has been charged with intoxicated manslaughter in the Corporal's death.
The fatal wreck happened about 12:20 Sunday morning at the intersection of MLK and 88th St. Authorities say 29-year-old Cpl. D. Robert Harvey was on his way to a fight in progress call when a pickup driven by 25-year-old Justin McKinney failed to yield the right of way when turning, and smashed head-on into Harvey's patrol unit. Harvey was pronounced dead at the scene. McKinney and his passenger were Aerocared to UMC. Flags around the region are flying at half staff today to honor corporal harvey's ultimate sacrifice. In his death, he leaves behind a wife and two young sons, and his extended family at the Lubbock Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff David Gutierrez says, "He has left a void within our organization. He made an impression and impact on my life and I know by visiting with the men and women of the sheriff's office that he made an impact on many of their lives."
Around 4:30 Monday afternoon, the Lubbock County District Attorney's Office issued a felony arrest warrant for 25-year-old Justin McKinney. He's been charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Intoxicated Assault for hurting the passenger riding in his car, and Intoxicated Manslaughter in Cpl. Harvey's death. The warrant says officials smelled alcohol on McKinney's breath right after the crash and found a receipt in his pocket showing that he had just spent $24.00 on alcohol at a local business. The warrant also states he was driving with an alcohol concentration of at least 0.08.
