On November 8 at about 12:55 a.m., an Irving Police Officer attempted to make a traffic stop on a Mercury Grand Marquis for expired registration. The vehicle was traveling eastbound on the south service road of IH 635 just past MacArthur when the officer turned on his overhead lights. The vehicle failed to stop and entered the freeway traveling eastbound on IH 635. The officer activated his siren in an attempt to gain the driver’s attention. The vehicle moved from the right lane to the center lane and then appeared to lose control as it swerved into the center median of IH 635 where it came to rest.
The officer approached the vehicle and attempted to make contact with the driver who was the only person in the car. The driver was unresponsive and found to be suffering from a gunshot wound. The Irving Fire Department responded and pronounced the driver deceased at the scene. Investigators were notified and an investigation was initiated. A firearm was found inside the vehicle and it appears as if the driver committed suicide as he was being stopped by the officer.
The driver has been identified as Richard Jefferey Ondo, 42, of Irving.
Ondo had outstanding traffic warrants from Dallas and Farmers Branch, according to Irving police.
The investigation is ongoing as investigators try to determine what caused Ondo to take his own life.
