Second Driver Arrested Following Crash That Killed Montgomery County Deputy

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A second driver has been arrested following the chain of events that led to the line-of-duty death of Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Erika Serrato early Sunday morning.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office released updated information Monday regarding the June 28 incident that claimed the life of the 24-year-old deputy.

According to investigators, deputies were first dispatched at approximately 2:39 a.m. to a multi-vehicle crash after receiving several 911 calls.

Authorities identified 34-year-old Ashton Jammer as the driver responsible for the initial crash. Jammer was arrested at the scene, charged with Driving While Intoxicated, and booked into the Montgomery County Jail.

While deputies were investigating that crash, with marked patrol vehicles positioned on the roadway and emergency lights activated, Deputy Serrato was directing traffic outside her patrol vehicle when she was struck by a heavy-duty commercial truck pulling a trailer.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the investigation into the fatal secondary crash.

Investigators identified the truck driver as 20-year-old Ian Perez. After being released from a local hospital, Perez was arrested and charged with Passing Certain Vehicles Causing Bodily Injury, alleging he failed to slow down or move over for emergency vehicles.

Authorities said the investigation remains active, and additional or enhanced charges could be filed as DPS continues its investigation.

Deputy Serrato, who had served with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for six years, died after being transported to a local hospital.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said additional updates will be released as they become available and encouraged the public and media to rely on the agency’s official channels for verified information.