HOUSTON — Prosecutors say DNA evidence has cleared a man who had been accused of driving drunk and injuring two Houston police officers during a fiery crash.

Cesar Collazo faced four felonies, including two counts of intoxication assault with serious bodily injury on a public servant, following the Christmas Eve 2018 crash that injured officers John Daily and Alonzo Reid.

But according to court documents, prosecutors dismissed the charges last month.

DNA evidence from the driver side air bag and testimony from another passenger pointed to Leonel Moreno as the driver of the vehicle that hit the officers’ SUV.

Moreno has been charged with two counts of failure to stop and render aid. He’s not been arrested.

Daily, who suffered severe burns, remains hospitalized but is expected to be released this week.

 

Dallas Cowboys owner’s
company buying energy firm

FRISCO — An oil and gas company controlled by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has reached an agreement to buy Covey Park Energy in a $2.2 billion cash and stock deal.

Frisco-based Comstock and Covey Park, with headquarters in Dallas, announced the agreement on Monday.

A statement from both companies says Jones will provide $475 million as part of the acquisition, bringing his total investment in Comstock to $1.1 billion. Jones remains the largest shareholder with 75% ownership.

Comstock, according to its website, has focused on acquisition, development, production and exploration of oil and gas properties mainly in Texas, Louisiana and North Dakota. Covey Park operates mainly in northern Louisiana and East Texas.

 

Governor signs bill to
protect lemonade stands

AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law a measure that’s meant to allow children to run lemonade stands without fear of being shut down by police.

The bill signed by the Republican governor on Monday was passed this year after Texas police shut down a lemonade stand run by two girls in 2015. Abbott called the measure “a commonsense law” in a video of him signing the bill posted on Twitter.

The new Texas law legalizes temporary lemonade stands or other stands selling nonalcoholic beverages operated by minors on private property or public parks. Lemonade stands were previously illegal in Texas because homemade drinks are banned due to health concerns.

The new law takes effect Sept. 1.

 

See also: TEXAS ROUNDUP — Crane collapse victim 29-year-old woman