MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (TNND) — A Texas deputy was killed early Sunday after being struck by a commercial truck while responding to a crash on Interstate 45 in The Woodlands.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred around 2:39 a.m. Sunday near the Woodlands Parkway exit on Interstate 45 North. Deputies were responding to multiple 911 calls about a multi-vehicle crash.
While directing traffic at the scene of a DWI-related incident, Deputy Erika Serrato, 24, was struck by a heavy-duty commercial truck pulling a trailer. The truck also collided with two marked patrol vehicles that had their emergency lights activated.
Deputy Serrato was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. She had served six years with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and was assigned to District 2. Another deputy suffered minor injuries from flying debris and was treated and released.
Authorities confirmed that 34-year-old Ashton Jammer, a driver involved in the original crash, has been charged with Driving While Intoxicated and will be booked into the Montgomery County Jail. The driver of the commercial truck that hit Deputy Serrato was also hospitalized.
The investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing. Sheriff Wesley Doolittle expressed condolences, stating, “Deputy Serrato made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our community.”
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office thanked multiple agencies for their assistance at the scene, including the Texas Department of Public Safety and local police and fire departments. Further information, including funeral arrangements, will be released in the coming days.