CONROE, Texas – A Montgomery County doctor arrested on multiple charges in connection with a crash that killed a Conroe family appeared in court on Thursday morning.
Dr. Rezik Saqer's attorney said his client is in no way responsible for the car crash that killed the Sedlmeier family last month. He said prosecutors charged Saqer without fully investigating his practice first.
The Texas Medical Board suspended Saqer's license last month after he was accused of prescribing pills to Ronald Cooper, the driver charged in the deadly Conroe crash. Cooper is facing four counts of intoxicated manslaughter.
According to court documents, Cooper was under the influence of multiple drugs prescribed to him by Saqer.
Investigators said Saqer prescribed oxycodone and Valium to Cooper.
DEA agents and Conroe police later arrested Saqer on multiple charges as well. The doctor appeared in court with his attorney for the first time on Thursday morning.
"What they've done is arrested Dr. Saqer, and now they are in the midst of conducting an investigation. What they should have done, in the American court of law, is investigate and then file charges," defense attorney Mac Secrest said.
The judge set another hearing date for Saqer. He is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 18.
According to Conroe police, Cooper was driving west on Highway 105 on Sept. 20 in a 2011 Hyundai Azera when he rear-ended a green 2011 Toyota Echo.
Roland Sedlmeier, 49, Melinda Sedlmeier, 42, Harley Sedlmeier, 6, and Sofie Sedlmeier, 4, were in the Toyota, which spun out of control onto oncoming traffic in the eastbound lanes of Highway 105, police said.
Investigators said the Toyota slammed into a 2015 Jeep Wrangler, and both cars flipped on their sides.
The Sedlmeier family was killed and two teenagers, ages 15 and 16, who were in the Jeep, were taken to Conroe Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. They were treated and released.