Additional charges expected against driver in crash that killed deputy

BAYTOWN, TX (KTRK) -- The suspect in the death of a Harris county Deputy made her first court appearance this morning at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in downtown Houston.

Kelly Jo Ivey, 29, made her appearance while sitting in a wheelchair. She's recovering from injuries she received after being involved in a head-on collision with Harris County Deputy Jesse Valdez III, just before midnight, yesterday morning.

Deputy Valdez was traveling eastbound on East Wallisville Road when Ivey's dark-colored Ford Explorer traveling westbound crossed the center lane and struck the deputy's marked patrol unit at the intersection of Honeysuckle Street.

He died on his way to the hospital.

In court today, Assistant District Attorney Alison Baimbridge explained the case to a judge and the reason why Ivey is currently just being charged with possession of a controlled substance. The DA's office is waiting on toxicology results to determine if Ivey was high on methamphetamines when she was driving.

In court, it was revealed that meth and ecstasy tablets were found in a perfume bottle in Ivey's SUV.

The DA's office goes on to say that based on the toxicology results, the highest charge she could receive is intoxication manslaughter on a peace officer, which is a first-degree felony. And other charges are possible.

Meanwhile, Ivey's Defense Attorney, Shannon Baldwin said they are looking at all the evidence in the case. Her main concern right now is the welfare of her client, who is injured and very shaken up.

It's expected to take one to two weeks for the toxicology tests to be complete. Meanwhile, Ivey remains behind bars, without bond.

Ivey was released from Texas prison on Oct. 2 after serving part of a two-year sentence on a previous, unrelated methamphetamine case, authorities say.

In March, Ivey pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and agreed to the two-year sentence, according to court records. She was released from prison on parole this month, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.