MISSOURI CITY, Texas – A Fort Bend ISD elementary school teacher was in jail Friday night, accused of nearly killing a newly-minted Missouri City police officer, on the job for only three months.
Officer Kenneth Lewis is recovering at Memorial Hermann Hospital after a chain-reaction crash that sent him plunging 30 feet off a bridge, Missouri City Police investigators say. Lewis was out of surgery late Friday, and is expected to recover.
The crash happened just after midnight Friday off State Highway 6 near Knights Court. The intersection is not far from the well-heeled neighborhood of Sienna Plantation.
Investigators say the officer was conducting a traffic stop when a vehicle, traveling eastbound on State Highway 6, struck the rear of his patrol car. The patrol car then slammed into the vehicle the officer had initially stopped, police say.
Missouri City police say the impact sent one of the officers over the edge of the bridge, falling approximately 20-30 feet.
They say the injured officer was airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center where he was in serious but stable condition. Investigators say he was undergoing surgery for his injuries.
A second person was hurt, according to police. They say the man being ticketed suffered minor injuries and was taken by ground to the hospital.
Missouri City police say the Sugar Land Police Department is now investigating the cause of the crash.
According to Sugar Land police, 46-year-old Christie Diane Biggers was intoxicated when she crashed into the back of Lewis' patrol car.
Fort Bend ISD confirmed Biggers is employed with the district. Local 2 has learned Biggers is a PE teacher at Scanlan Oaks Elementary School.
"Was that her, oh my God!" said Jermaine Gray, a Scanlan Oaks Elementary School parent, upon hearing news of the arrest. "Sometimes you never know what people do. You never know what they do in their private lives."
Biggers is charged with intoxication assault and was transported to Fort Bend County Jail.