GALVESTON, Texas – ‘Jeep Weekend,’ the unofficial kickoff to summer on Crystal Beach could soon be coming to an end if Galveston County Judge Mark Henry has his way.
In an interview with KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun, Henry shared he has a plan for the event with the help of whoever becomes the next sheriff.
“We have a plan that we are not going to reveal right now about how to deal with that,” Henry said. “This is a viable plan I think we will be dry running it early next year, and it is our hope and belief that we are going to make it unattractive for these unsanctioned events to come back to Bolivar.”
The event, for years, has caused headaches for county leaders and those who live along Crystal Beach.
Last week, a Galveston criminal judge sentenced Darius Gilbert to a year in county jail after he was charged with driving while intoxicated in 2022. Gilbert hit and seriously injured Galveston County Sheriff Deputy John Hamm. At the time, Deputy Hamm was on duty and working the investigation of a vehicular accident that happened earlier in the evening. Gilbert struck Deputy Hamm with his vehicle while Deputy Hamm was directing traffic in the roadway.
Galveston County Criminal District Attorney Jack Roady, in a statement, said Gilbert wasn’t charged with a felony because investigators weren’t able to prove “Gilbert’s criminal conduct caused the accident in the first place.”
“After the exhaustive investigation, it was concluded that probable cause did not exist to proceed with a felony indictment,” Roady said in a statement. “Gilbert was charged with and convicted of the offense which the evidence could support – driving while intoxicated.”
Sergeant Hamm died earlier this year after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme.
Jill Hamm, Sgt. Hamm’s wife said she’s disappointed by the downgrade from felony to misdemeanor.
“It’s been resolved. I’m not super pleased with the outcome although I am glad, he will sit in jail,” Hamm said. “At least he took the plea and he’s actually going to do the time in jail.”
Hamm said she and her husband used to head to Bolivar Peninsula for Jeep Weekend but said what it’s turned into over the years makes the event unrecognizable.
“It’s a danger to the community,” she said. “it’s gotten very dangerous. It scares me and of course brings up the last two years. It’s a very somber time for us, for our family.”
Hamm suggests enforcing laws and cracking down on all violations.
“I don’t have a problem with anyone coming to have a good time but pick up after yourselves,” said resident Richard Knight.
Knight moved to the Bolivar Peninsula in 2018 and quickly learned about the event.
“It just brings a lot of disruption to the peninsula for, I say, four days,” Knight said. “People don’t feel safe. Their property is getting destroyed. They’re trashing the beach and leaving it like that.”
But Sheriff Henry Trochesset, who is retiring, said shutting down the beach during Jeep Weekend isn’t viable.
“It’s not as easy as it sounds,” Sheriff Trochesset said in a phone interview with Balogun. “Let’s say I close the whole 30 miles of stretch of beach on that weekend. What happens when they come the next weekend? Are we supposed to close the beach on Memorial Weekend? Fourth of July?”
Knight said closing the beach is worth trying.
“I don’t feel like the sheriff has done what he can do. I really don’t,” said Knight.
“Why do you say that,” Balogun asked.
“They’re not writing up tickets down there,” Knight said. “I know he’s limited on the number of deputies he’s got, but he can ask for help from the state police and also from the wildlife officers.”
This year, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and state troopers responded to more than 800 calls for services during the three-day event on the Bolivar Peninsula.
“Texas has an open beach act which allows every visitor who wants to come to the beach to enjoy themselves until they violate the law,” Sheriff Trochesset said.
“You’ve got to make some type of effort,” Hamm said.
STATEMENT BY JACK ROADY, GALVESTON COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY,
“Today Darius Gilbert plead guilty to Driving While Intoxicated and was sentenced to the maximum term of confinement -- one year in the Galveston County Jail.
On the evening of May 22, 2022, Gilbert was driving drunk on the Bolivar Peninsula when he struck and severely injured Galveston County Sheriff Deputy John Hamm. At the time, Deputy Hamm was on duty and working the investigation of a vehicular accident that happened earlier in the evening. Gilbert struck Deputy Hamm with his vehicle while Deputy Hamm was directing traffic in the roadway.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded and conducted an exhaustive investigation of the scene and the circumstances surrounding the accident. In the months that followed, law enforcement accident reconstruction experts from outside agencies pored over the evidence and results of the investigation.
In order to charge Gilbert for the felony of severely injuring Deputy Hamm, the law requires proof that Gilbert’s criminal conduct caused the accident in the first place. After the exhaustive investigation, it was concluded that probable cause did not exist to proceed with a felony indictment. Gilbert was charged with and convicted of the offense which the evidence could support – driving while intoxicated.
Earlier this year, Deputy John Hamm ultimately lost his valiant battle against an aggressive brain tumor that developed after the accident. Our hearts are broken over his death. But, we remain ever grateful for the years of honorable and faithful service he sacrificed for the good of his community.”
