Dallas-Officer Mitchell Penton of the Dallas Police Department was struck by a drunk driver and killed during the early morning hours of February 13, 2021. Penton was on duty, providing security for an accident scene when his patrol vehicle was struck by a Kia Forte. The impact of the crash caused Officer Penton's vehicle to hit him. Officer Penton was taken to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses of the crash said that the officer's emergency lights were on and the driver of the Kia was traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver was arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter on a Police Officer as well as Intoxication Assault due to the fact there was a passenger in his car.
Officer Penton had been with the Dallas Police Department since February 6, 2019. He was assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division.
Source: Dallas PD/ODMP
Hilary Rodela
Hilary Rodela is currently a Surveillance Officer, a former Private Investigator, a former Crime Scene Investigator, and Evidence Technician. She worked for the Ruidoso (NM) Police Department as well as the Lubbock (TX) Police Department. She has written for several public safety publications and has extensive law enforcement and forensic training and is pursuing forensic expertise in various disciplines. Hilary is a freelance public safety writer and curriculum developer for the National Investigative Training Academy.
