RICHMOND, Texas (KTRK) — Former Missouri City police officer Blademir Viveros was convicted of aggravated assault by a public servant on Monday.

After five days of witness testimony, body camera footage, and tears in the courtroom, the jury found Viveros guilty after he was accused of killing three people in a high-speed wreck while responding to an emergency.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Families of victims testify, state and defense rest cases in former MCPD officer manslaughter trial

Arguments closed just after 2:30 p.m. on Monday.

Chief Prosecutor Alison Baimbridge made it clear throughout the trial that no stone was left unturned in the investigation in this case, saying that this crash was avoidable and not an accident.

Defense attorneys tag-teamed their closing argument, with Eric Cagle going first as he told the jury Viveros intended to help the victims of the robbery he was responding to.

Defense attorney Robert McCabe then spoke, adding that Viveros has a servant’s heart. He called the crash an accident and said that Viveros did not drive his car intentionally into the car of Mason and Angela Stewart.

McCabe told the jurors Viveros was negligent and should’ve done better, and mentioned the failures by the police department and his supervisors.

“This case just doesn’t belong here, it just doesn’t in this court…in criminal court…in criminal district court on a felony offense with a weapon, alleged for these facts. For this case, it doesn’t belong here. Justice comes in many forms and shouldn’t be sought in this court. There’s plenty of reasonable doubt.” McCabe said.

“If you think about the facts in this case, they’re not disputed,” Baimbridge said. “Nobody is arguing that this crash did not happen in the way that the officers say it did. No one is arguing the defendant turned off his patrol lights and his sirens. No one is arguing he was going 107 miles per hour when he took lives from our community – he just wants a pass.”

After the closing arguments, the jury was sent out of the courtroom to deliberate. The jury then returned about two and a half hours later, finding Viveros guilty on all three counts of aggravated assault by a public servant.

The punishment phase of the trial begins on Tuesday morning. Viveros now faces five years to life in prison.

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The Missouri Department of Transportation announced a segment of I-70 Drive Southeast from Woodridge to Glenstone Drive in Columbia will close beginning Monday after being delayed for 14 days.

The entrance to Woodridge Drive from I-70 Drive Southeast will also be closed. The closure is set to last 300 days and aims to be completed in January 2027, according to a news release from MoDOT.

The closure will enable crews to shift traffic on I-70 to construct two new bridges on I-70. This will allow the construction of the new underpass connecting Hanover Boulevard to I-70 Drive Southeast.

All businesses will remain accessible during the closure. Motorists will be directed around the closure via Keene Street and St. Charles Road, according to the news release.

The closure was originally set for March 9. According to past KOMU 8 reporting, MoDOT postponed the project due to weather and crew availability.

The city of Columbia Public Works Department plans to close a lane on Rogers Street and shift lanes on Forum Boulevard this week. 

Rogers Street

The city of Columbia Public Works Street Division crews will begin road work on Rogers Street in front of Jefferson Middle School 7 a.m. on Monday. 

One lane will be closed, and a flagger will help direct traffic through the work zone, according to a Columbia Public Works news release. 

Crews plan to replace a section of failed concrete pavement in the eastbound lane, according to the news release. 

Work will include removing deteriorated concrete and pouring a new concrete panel, according to the news release. 

Rogers Street is expected to fully reopen by 5 p.m. on Monday, weather permitting.

Forum Boulevard

Crews also plan for road work beginning at 7 a.m., Thursday on Forum Boulevard near the intersection of Crestwood Lane, according to the news release.

Crews will replace a collapsed section of pavement, according to the news release. 

No full lane closures are planned, but northbound traffic will shift lanes through the work area. Southbound traffic is expected to move normally, according to the news release. 

Traffic message boards will be in place to remind travelers of the road work.

All lanes are expected to reopen by 5 p.m. on Thursday, weather permitting, according to the news release.