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Two Harris County constable deputies injured by suspected drunk driver
Two Harris County constable deputies were in a hospital after being hit by a driver while responding to a call. FOX 26's Jade Flury explains what authorities are saying.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Two Harris County constable deputies are hospitalized after being hit by a suspected drunk driver while they were responding to a call in north Harris County.
Constable deputies hit by vehicle
What we know:
Around 4 a.m., Houston Fire Department units were called to an auto-pedestrian crash near North Sam Houston Toll Road and Ella Boulevard.
Harris County Constable Assistant Chief Toby Hecker says the deputies were called about a man who was walking along the eastbound lanes of Beltway 8 near Ella Boulevard. There were three patrol vehicles at the scene.
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The deputies stopped the man on the shoulder and had their lights on as they placed him in the back of their patrol vehicle, officials say.
According to Asst. Chief Hecker, while the deputies were standing outside the vehicle, a truck driven by a suspected intoxicated male hit them and the back of the patrol vehicle. The crash caused the parol vehicle to slam into the back of another vehicle, which hit the back of another vehicle.
Courtesy of Harris County Constable Mark Herman's Office/Facebook)
One deputy was taken to Memorial Hermann by Life Flight and the other was taken by ambulance, officials report. The pedestrian who was in the back of the patrol vehicle was taken to HCA Northwest by ambulance.
Constable Herman reports the deputies went into surgery for serious leg, hip, and head injuries. The Constable's Office has since confirmed that the two deputies are in stable condition.
One of the injured was a male Corporal who is a veteran of Precinct 4 for more than four years and the injured female deputy is a two-year veteran.
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Authorities say the driver of the truck, later identified as 32-year-old Wilfredo Arzola, was taken to the hospital for a blood warrant. He has reportedly been arrested and charged with the following:
- Two counts of Intoxication Assault with Serious Bodily Injury - Peace Officer
- Reckless Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon - Peace Officer
His bond was set to $250,000 for each intoxication assault charge.
There was a passenger inside the truck who was checked at the scene for injuries.
What we don't know:
Other than the suspect, no one involved has been identified at this time.
The Source: Information provided by Constable Mark Herman and Houston Fire Department.