Officer Mitchell Penton

Updated Post: February 13, 2021, 11:15 a.m.

In the early morning hours, a Dallas officer lost his life while valiantly performing his duty. Police Officer Mitchell Penton, #11654, was securing the scene of a previous accident on N. Central Expressway at Walnut Hill Lane when the driver of a black Kia Forte struck the back of Officer Penton’s squad car. The impact caused the police vehicle to strike Officer Penton. His emergency lights were on and it was reported by witnesses that the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed.

The suspect driver, 32-year-old male, was found to be intoxicated. He was arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter on a Police Officer (Felony 1) and Intoxication Assault, for the passenger that was in his vehicle. The suspect was seen by medical staff and released. The female passenger was taken to an area hospital for trauma to her chest area and a laceration on her face.

Officer Penton joined the department on February 6, 2019, and was assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division. “Our hearts are heavy right now. This young officer had such a bright future ahead of him. We asked that the community join us as we pray for the officer’s family. We would also like to extend that prayer to the brave men and women of this great department.” said Chief Eddie Garcia.

Original Post:

On February 13, 2021, at about 1:45 a.m., a Dallas officer was blocking the scene of a prior freeway accident in the northbound lanes of North Central Expressway at Walnut Hill Lane. A 32-year-old Black male driver of a four door Kia Forte driving at a high rate of speed collided with the officer while he was standing outside of his marked patrol vehicle with his emergency lights on. The officer was transported to Baylor Hospital where he subsequently died of his injuries. The driver of the Kia Forte was found to be intoxicated and was taken into custody with charges pending. The driver of the Kia Forte did not sustain any injuries. There was a female passenger in the Kia Forte who is currently being interviewed by investigators. She was not injured. This remains an ongoing investigation on case numbers 026328-2021, 026329-2021, and 026337-2021.