Driver Charged In Collision That Killed Deputy

HOUSTON -- A man has been charged with criminally negligent homicide after a sheriff's deputy was killed in a collision with a truck on Thursday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Harris County sheriff's deputies said Deputy Craig Miller, 43, died when his undercover unit collided with a truck in west Houston.

Officials said Jose Vieyra was driving a box truck when he left a car dealership, crossed all three lanes of the Katy Freeway eastbound feeder road near Mason Road and hit the deputy's unmarked sport utility vehicle shortly before 8 p.m.

Vieyra was trying to get to the ramp to enter the freeway, deputies said.

Miller's SUV flipped over several times and almost went onto the freeway. Miller was killed instantly.

Officials said Miller is survived by his wife Michele, and a young son and daughter. He worked for the department for 20 years.

Detectives said Vieyra, 56, is in the United States illegally. Police said he entered the country on a work visa that expired.

He was booked into the Harris County Jail and had bond set at $35,000. Vieyra was not injured in the collision.

"There's no indication at this point that alcohol was a factor or anything like that. The basis for the charge is the fact that he failed to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic," said Capt. John Martin with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Miller worked for the investigative support services division. He was returning from an investigative operation in the Copperfield area, officials said.

"The people that worked with him -- they're just devastated. They had tremendous respect for him," Martin said.

"It's really a very sad, traumatic thing to happen to us and to anybody else," Maj. Juan George said. "We're just terribly sorry that this happened to him."

Deputies said Miller's death reminded them to that their lives could end in an instant.

"It's amazing how short our life is and they're talking about getting their things in order and that kind of thing because you never know when something's going to happen, regardless of what kind of work you're in," George said.

Fund For Deputy's Family

The 100 Club is accepting donations to its "Survivor's Fund," which provides benefits to the dependents of peace officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

Donations can be sent to the following address:

100 Club Survivor's Fund
1233 West Loop S., Suite 1250
Houston, TX 77027

Donations can also be made online at www.the100club.org or over the phone at 713-952-0100.

A $10,000 check will be given immediately to Miller's wife to assist with any immediate needs they may have. Additional 100 Club financial support for the Miller family will be provided, after a review, to include current financial and children's educational needs, according to authorities.