Authorities north of Houston continue to investigate a Sunday morning crash that led to the death of a 24-year-old Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputy. A man tied to the crash scene, who did not strike the deputy, has been charged with driving while intoxicated, according to the sheriff’s office.
At approximately 2:39 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a “multi-vehicle crash” on Interstate 45 North near the Woodlands Parkway exit, according to the sheriff’s office. The responding deputies were conducting a DWI crash investigation when Deputy Erika Serrato was struck by a heavy-duty commercial truck, the sheriff’s office said. Serrato was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead due to her injuries.
According to the sheriff’s office, Serrato was outside of her vehicle directing traffic at the time of the fatal collision.
“Our hearts are broken today,” Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said in a statement Sunday. “Deputy Serrato made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our community. We ask that you keep her family, friends, and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. We grieve alongside them.”
Another deputy at the scene was injured by debris and treated for minor injuries at a local hospital before being released, according to authorities.
Ashton Jammer, 34, who allegedly caused the initial crash before the responding deputies were directing traffic, has been charged with DWI, the sheriff’s office said.
The identity of the commercial truck driver who struck Serrato has not been released by the sheriff’s office, which said the truck driver was transported to a local hospital after the collision.
Serrato, who was assigned to District 2, had worked for the sheriff’s office for six years.
The sheriff’s office told Houston Public Media on Monday it did not have any immediately available updates on its investigation into the crash.
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Publisher: Local – Houston Public Media