Montgomery Co. deputy struck and killed while investigating DWI crash on North Freeway, sheriff says

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A Montgomery County Sheriff's Office deputy was struck and killed early Sunday while investigating a suspected drunken driving crash along Interstate 45, authorities said.

Deputy Erika Serrato, 24, was assisting at the scene of a DWI-related crash on the northbound lanes of I-45 when she was hit by a commercial utility vehicle around 3:40 a.m., according to Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle.

Serrato was providing traffic cover for officers with the Oak Ridge Police Department about 30 minutes after the initial crash when the second collision occurred, investigators said.

"This is a violent crash involving a heavy commercial vehicle that had debris going all across the roadway," Doolittle said during a news conference.

Serrato died at the scene. A second deputy, John Hernandez, was struck by debris and taken to a hospital with injuries that were not expected to be life-threatening.

Doolittle said Serrato began her career with the sheriff's office as a detention officer at age 18 before becoming a commissioned deputy earlier this year. She had been assigned to patrol for about six months.

"I just pinned a badge on her chest to be a commissioned police officer in January," Doolittle said. "She's someone that I know, I'm familiar with. I am very heartbroken about this."

The driver of the commercial utility truck was also taken to a hospital and is expected to recover.

In the initial crash, investigators arrested 34-year-old Ashton Jammer on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Authorities said additional charges could be filed as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding Serrato's death.

"I will tell you that they're also looking into the investigation that could result in criminal charges," Doolittle said. "We may not be able to share everything about that to protect the integrity of that investigation."

The crash shut down a portion of the North Freeway for about 13 hours as investigators processed the scene before reopening the roadway Sunday afternoon.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said a deputy was killed, and another was injured after they were hit by a vehicle on the North Freeway.

Doolittle said Serrato's death has deeply affected members of the sheriff's office.

"Our deputies this morning, they're completely heartbroken," he said. "They're devastated. Standing beside a coworker killed next to you is something none of us should have to go through. It's going to affect that officer for a very long time. Her shift partners cared deeply about her. She's a good person."

At the request of Judge Mark Keough, Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all flags across Montgomery County to be lowered to half staff in Serrato's honor, Keough said.

The investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing.