A series of incidents on I-45 starting early Sunday morning included a multiple crashes and the death of a Montgomery County sheriff’s deputy, and was causing significant traffic delays along a portion of the northbound highway for hours.
While deputies were working the scene, a commercial truck pulling a trailer struck Deputy Erika Serrato, who was directing traffic, as well as two marked patrol vehicles with emergency lights activated. The 24-year-old deputy was transported to a local hospital where she later died from her injuries.
Another deputy was also injured after being struck by debris. That deputy sustained minor injuries, was treated at a local hospital and has since been released.
One of the drivers involved in the initial crash, identified as 34-year-old Ashton Jammer, was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated and is being held in the Montgomery County Jail. The driver of the commercial vehicle was taken to a local hospital and that crash remains under investigation.
Around 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Houston TranStar showed northbound I-45 near the Woodlands Parkway exit was moving more than five times slower than normal speed. TranStar described the incident as a hazmat spill resulting from a two-vehicle crash, affecting all main lanes as well as both the left and right shoulders.
A spokesperson with the MCSO told Chron they were unaware of any hazmat spill associated with the crash.