Dispatcher Killed in Accident After Work

Austin (Tex.) 911 dispatcher Melanie Wilkinson, 37, has died in a vehicle accident after leaving the comm center after work. She was an accomplished opera singer, had a master’s degree in music and has performed at many special events for a host of celebrities. She was scheduled to leave for Washington (DC) next week to sing with a choral group at the National Cathedral. Police said that Wilkinson finished her shift at 6 a.m., but stayed for Black History Month brunch with co-workers. She left about 11:45 a.m. to drive home, and drove less than 1/4-mile when a Chevy SUV crossed the center line on E. 51st St. and struck her Toyota Corolla, and flipping the SUV. She was declared dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was arrested on drug and theft warrants. Comm center supervisor Michelle Frazier said, “It’s like a bright light has gone off here.” Wilkinson joined the center in 2005, and her sister Cherly Woods works as a financial manager at Austin PD.