A Montgomery County Sheriff's Office deputy was killed and another injured early Sunday morning while investigating a suspected drunk driving crash along Interstate 45. Deputy Erika Serrato, 24, was struck by a commercial utility vehicle around 3:40 a.m. as she provided traffic cover for officers from the Oak Ridge Police Department.
Serrato died at the scene of the incident, which occurred about 30 minutes after an initial crash that had been caused by a suspected drunk driver, Ashton Jammer, who was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated. The second deputy, John Hernandez, was struck by debris and taken to a hospital with injuries not expected to be life-threatening.
The driver of the commercial utility truck involved in Serrato's death is also being treated at a hospital and is expected to recover. Authorities have announced that additional charges may be filed as they continue investigating the circumstances surrounding Serrato's death.
Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all flags across Montgomery County to be lowered to half staff in honor of Deputy Serrato, who began her career with the sheriff's office at age 18 and had been assigned to patrol for about six months. The investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing.