MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – A July 4th weekend DWI enforcement initiative held in memory of fallen Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Erika Serrato resulted in 54 intoxication-related charges, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
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The Deputy Erika Serrato July 4th DWI Initiative was a coordinated No Refusal enforcement effort aimed at removing impaired drivers from Montgomery County roads and waterways during the Independence Day holiday weekend.
During the initiative, prosecutors accepted:
- 52 Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges
- 2 Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) charges
Officials said the enforcement effort was dedicated to Serrato, who was killed in the line of duty last week while assisting at the scene of a crash on Interstate 45 near The Woodlands Parkway.
Chief Prosecutor of Vehicular Crimes Taylor Vanegas said the initiative served as a way to honor Serrato’s commitment to protecting the community.
“The Deputy Erika Serrato July 4th DWI Initiative is about more than enforcement,” Vanegas said. “It honors a deputy who answered the call to serve and made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our community.”
Vanegas said every impaired driver removed from roads or waterways represents a chance to prevent crashes, injuries and families from experiencing loss.
Montgomery County District Attorney Mike Holley thanked the agencies and public safety professionals who participated in the holiday weekend effort.
“There is no greater tribute to Deputy Erika Serrato than continuing the work of protecting others,” Holley said.
Serrato, a 24-year-old six-year veteran of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, was killed early Sunday while directing traffic at the scene of an earlier DWI crash on I-45. She had recently become a patrol deputy after beginning her career as a detention officer.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash that killed Serrato. Authorities said the driver of a commercial truck involved in the crash, 20-year-old Ian Perez, was arrested and charged with passing certain vehicles causing bodily injury, a charge associated with violating Texas’ Move Over/Slow Down law.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges could be filed.