022721 DRUNK HITS OFFICERS AND PATROL CARS

About 1:15 am Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constables along with Splendora Police were conducting a traffic stop on I-69 over East River Drive. A Splendora Officer was under the truck that was stopped searching it. The suspect was cuffed behind his vehicle talking to a deputy who was standing next to one of the patrol cars. Other deputies were searching the truck. A male driver in a Tesla was northbound and never slowed down for the lights ahead. He slammed into a patrol car driving it into the other vehicles. The officer under the truck was drug a short distance, the suspect was thrown under one of the vehicles and a deputy standing next to the patrol car who had been talking to the suspect was hit by the mirror on the patrol car possibly breaking his arm. The Sargeant who was standing between the bridge wall and the vehicles were almost thrown over the wall to a thirty-foot drop. DPS arrested the driver of the Tesla who was uninjured, for DWI. Andrew James with the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office Vehicular Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. The freeway reopened at 3:30 am. The suspect is in stable condition at Kingwood Hospital. The other officers are still being evaluated. It is unknown if the Tesla was in auto-drive mode and if it was why it did not sense the emergency vehicles and slow down and move over.

[@garylandrum9036]

This is why we must support our police officers👮🏼👮🏿‍♂️👮🏼 THIS IS NOT YOUR ORDINARY J O B

[@suzieaustin.5905]

So right Gary and the way those frauders talk to cops, calling them names is not cool. Some day they will need them.😡😡

[@lornebailey1568]

It's disturbing to see so much anti-police crap these days. It started with Cambridge Mass. when our president Obama proclaimed that the police acted stupidly before he knew any facts. The FACT is that the good professor Louis Gates was and is an extreme left wing activist and the officer that was unfortunate enough to come across Gates forcing his door open on that fine sunny day was supposedly an expert in race relations and taught in the subject. And then we have the stupid beer summit , right ? Since then , I don't think out nations Police Officers are feeling the love , they had it for 4 years under orange man bad but it's gone away with Brandon and his legions of criminal scumbags and 'undocumented citizens'. Vote Accordingly.

[@danaitz203]

I would like to see the Tesla dashcam video that those proud Tesla drivers are always bragging about

[@neil6212]

You may be certain it will be entered into evidence, along with video from the two police cars, and the contents of the air bag controller memory. Actually, numerous current autos have 360 degree camera technology. I don't know if it saves, nor for how long.

[@asmodeus1274]

@@neil6212 air bag controller memory? You’re talking about the cars ECM.

[@meredithbenjamin6694]

It was drunk too!

[@jackieelliott2992]

Constable looks really upset. BLESS you officers and be safe out there.

[@gunner3921]

He was just in a wreck, that field sobriety test is gonna be thrown out in court. Get a blood test ASAP instead of burning time allowing him to get more and more sober.

[@neil6212]

The PD are following the law. A failed field sobriety test in such a case, is cause to obtain a Search Warrant for the subject's blood. IF the blood test fails to confirm a legal level of intoxication, (not only for alcohol) so be it. He still has some pretty severe charges to answer to.

[@JWTiny]

Gunners right. And u dont need any failed FSTs to get a SW for blood. The crash and any visible observations is enough. This is all an inadmissible waste of time. Fill out the affidavit, wake up the judge and get it signed and get Drunkenstein in for a draw. Easy peasy.

[@txman201]

@@neil6212 I believe TX law also allows to take blood if any person is killed or seriously injured. The stopped citizen was seriously injured, so they probably have that as cause to take blood, by force if necessary.

[@chiemekaa]

Why can't vehicles have an alcohol detection system that won't start or move the vehicle until the driver blows, mandatory after the first DUI offense? While not perfect, that would eliminate a significant number of deaths/injuries/damages resulting. But I guess it'll be met with a lot of bureaucratic nonsense.

[@patriciaboyer2675]

Sadly, it doesn't work. My brother in law's best friend paid people to blow into the machine in his car.

[@monteclark1115]

Daddy’s magic car whistle!

[@jospeaches8533]

Um no now there is a dash cam with the blow and go so that can't happen w out the courts knowing sure a buddy can blow for anyone at the time which socks folks just drive away and may cause a nother...tragedy truly a sad issue..smh

[@jospeaches8533]

Um no now there is a dash cam with the blow and go so that can't happen w out the courts knowing sure a buddy can blow for anyone at the time which socks folks just drive away and may cause a nother...tragedy truly a sad issue..smh

[@Wildman8849]

What we need is some type of device or sensor in the vehicle that picks up alcohol fumes because when a person is intoxicated they sweat the alcohol out and this gives off fumes therefore if anyone was intoxicated in the car including the driver the car will either not start or it would shut off whatever the case may be

[@santaclaus6602]

Until the district attorney’s & judge’s start giving drunks REAL time instead of pleading them out & probation this will never stop. Oh yeah: don’t forget the sheriff’s depts that give them rides home cause the sheriff doesn’t want to lose votes

[@packingten]

Ethan Couch KILLED 4 People in 1997 got some probation,Then went right out and played Beer pong And ,Escaped to Mexico to avoid jail, He will do it AGAIN😡

[@naomisgram1]

Yes, and often it’s the judges that fail. We have a case here in Seattle that several people in a tent camp were found to have a huge cache of drugs, cash and guns. They all had previous arrests. The DA in this case asked for high bail and to keep them locked, but no. The judge said ok you can go if you promise to come back to your hearing. Do you think they will actually show up? Of course not. They were back on the streets in 24 hours. I can’t blame police with getting tired of the revolving door, and the weak judges 😟😡

[@naomisgram1]

@David Blanton yes it’s terrible in Seattle. They have a liberal do nothing mayor and city council. The police’s hands are tied they keep arresting and releasing the same criminals over and over, its like a vicious circle. The Police chief whom I admired , resigned in disgust as well as many officers. Fortunately I don’t have to go into the city of Seattle very often as I live in a smaller city (Bothell) about 10 miles north and on the North end of Lake Washington. I feel fairly safe in my apartment. It does seem though as incidents are increasing. Less than a year ago one of our Bothell Police Officers was shot and killed, the first ever. He and his partner had stopped a man near the downtown area, and he exited his car firing. I live on a hillside above town, so I could hear and see all the lights and sirens. There must have been 80 police cars from surrounding communities that showed up. This happened at about 9pm and they chased the guy around on rooftops in town, finally spotting him. A sharpshooter had been called in and finally spotted him from the taller roof of an apartment building, and he was told to surrender or be shot. He surrendered. This took until about 2:30am and no one went to sleep that was nearby, until they got him. Everyone was told to go inside and lock their doors and windows. I was listening on the internet police scanner as were a lot of other people. The officer’s cruiser sat in the big city hall open area for a week. There were so many flowers, balloons, and cards you could hardly see the car. They also had a wonderful public service there outdoors by the car. I grew up here and it’s sad to see how things have changed and officers are not always respected as they should be. Thanks for your thoughts, I’m sure you do feel safer where you are 😕

[@denniscarter8163]

Thank you Scott!

[@kerrytaylor1795]

Tesla guy is in so much trouble right now

[@edv7981]

LOCK HIM UP

[@joseangelpadilla6017]

I think the automatic pilot was drunk

[@philsmidwestclassiccars150]

Make the drunk responsible for the damage he caused.

[@rmc5278]

How on earth are you supposed to see anything passed those led emergency lights !

[@michellerobinson1318]

Exactly, they total blind me

[@meredithbenjamin6694]

Well at least those lights indicate to slow down bc there's danger ahead.

[@JediLoreen]

Past, not passed.

[@rmc5278]

@@JediLoreen sorrie

[@jospeaches8533]

While driving by the po po I get blinded,

[@boozehound9617]

He will say that the car was in auto pilot, he will claim that he wasn't driving, and blame tesla.

[@bethshadid2087]

But can't they find out if it's true or not thru computers? Even if it was on auto pilot he is still supposed to keep eye out and deal with emergencies

[@naomisgram1]

He should have to pay for the 3 police patrol cars that were totaled. The tax payers are the ones that foot the bill for brand new very expensive police vehicles. Glad the officers and K-9 didn’t seem to be seriously injured. Sorry for the person that was stopped and was injured

[@bethshadid2087]

His insurance should pay but we know how that Shiite goes down.

[@lindakeys1883]

He should have to pay for all vehicles involved! Replace the 5 totaled or damaged plus the pickup ! Then spend several years in prison for attempted murder off all officers involved!!!

[@LindaZeno]

I'm all for the puppers!

[@earnharvick]

Guy who drives a 2019 Tesla model X ($80,000.00 Blue book) probably has friends in high places.....unfortunate that he will probably never "pay" for what he did. That is a sad reality today.

[@Liam_Bob]

You're saying it was different in the past?

[@edv7981]

SEND ELON MUSK THE BILL FOR INJURIES AND DAMAGE HE'S GOT THE CASH

[@meredithbenjamin6694]

I hope all those officers are not hurt bad and heal quickly. I pray for your safety. I also hope the man you were talking to for traffic stop is ok. People should take their drinking at home.

[@user3913]

He'll be out of jail in no time, driving that tesla he's got the 💰💰💰💰💰💰

[@meredithbenjamin6694]

Amazing how the drunk came out of that mess without any injuries!

[@midgie4410]

He was injured. Read description

[@leonardsirwinirwin4247]

@@midgie4410 He was uninjured; I read the description.

[@JoesGoldenGarage]

Tesla guy is not only in a lot of trouble right now he is also being fully exposed for being a drunk driver! Which I kind of think is funny! Drinking and driving is just the stupidest most selfish thing someone can do.

[@juanizaguirre1226]

11:46 🤣🤣 that handcuff hurt him what a wussy. Sucks to be him

[@im2cutesosueme121]

If the guy's drunk who knows what injuries he really has until he sobers up.

[@juanizaguirre1226]

Can’t be as bad as the other innocent guys that got hurt for no reason.

[@Sdukes001]

He drives a Tesla what do you expect.?

[@karonnemetz7376]

Sooooo Sad! Drunk Drivers need stronger penalties, their obviously not strong enough!

[@BF-qt2wp]

Nice video and keep up with the great work and be safe out there.

[@gracietaylor4250]

80 grand for car, DUI bill 15 grand, Cop cars repaired 30 grand, bettcha he wishes he got that Lyft now. Very lucky he didn’t kill anyone, at least we hope he had good insurance.

[@markb3756]

Will insurance even pay a claim when the driver was arrested/convicted of a DUI/DWI? I was under the impression that they won't..... 🤔

[@gracietaylor4250]

@@markb3756 they pay up to the liability of the policy, at least most do.

[@Josue-rd5gt]

I bet he was using auto pilot too. Prayers for the injured and K9. Smart cars need a drunk driver detection function that does something to prevent a wreck. 2017+ Toyota Rav 4s have a lane departure warning asking you to take a rest if you exceed a thread hold.

[@neil6212]

Very likely couldn't have been using auto pilot, as numerous sensors would have stopped the car. When you're impaired, you would be unlikely to engage it. Takes more clear thought.

[@vaughnhill3437]

Hopefully the police officers and the person involved come outta this ok. These people out here drinking and driving should be prosecuted to the max. If you are willing to go out here and risk killing innocent people because you have been drinking and choose to get behind the wheel then you should get the most they csn charge you with. God bless everyone involved

[@cherylgagne4165]

I recently saw a video of another Tesla accident. It was an intoxicated woman and she was driving down the wrong way of a major California freeway and caused a collision that took two peoples lives. When she talk to the officer she said that she was tired and she put the auto pilot on so she could take a nap! Magine that😤

[@beentheredoneization]

If this Tesla WAS in auto drive mode this incident should be a lesson to all those [fools in my opinion] who think self driving vehicles are a 'great idea'. Of course with all the damage and injuries to others 'Mr. Booze & Snooze' comes out unscathed from any physical damage to himself.

[@textech4056]

He can plead not guilty in court. He was not driving the car it was driving itself. Charge Elon Musk.

[@beentheredoneization]

@@textech4056 .. and the only ones that will get rich off of crap like this are the lawyers.

[@psweeneyville]

Probably thought since he was DUI he'd let the car drive him home - idiot!

[@asmodeus1274]

@Greg B Oooops, Tesla’s don’t have keys or an ignition system for a key. What now? Unlike most cars, the Tesla Model 3 doesn't have a key. In fact, you don't even get a key fob with the car like other Teslas. Tesla has designed the experience around the smartphone app, which supports passive entry (the doors automatically unlock) and remote operation. The included key cards don't do that, either. lol

[@markb3756]

I totally agree! Fully autonomous vehicles are still at least a decade away, but probably more like 2 or 3 decades. Road conditions, meaning signage/distinct lines on the road are just not consistent/distinct enough to work flawlessly and safely with the camera systems on these cars. JMO.

[@Msleelee9487]

drunks drive straight for the lights

[@sassydiana7]

NO Excuses for dui Ever!

[@cannedheat300]

From this and other video's involving Tesla's, it a very safe vehicle, but the cage is not indestructible if hit by a semi or worse, etc.

[@lilred9483]

This could have been so much worse! PTL! Everyone survived :)

[@lbennhtx6072]

Dude was totally wasted. Wow.

[@nunya7319]

He should get 10yrs in the state pen, no early release. Then lose his license for life. If caught driving again Ever, he get's life without.

[@edv7981]

TEN YEAR ARE YOU KIDDING ME FOR PERSON HURT HE SHOULD GET TEN YEARS NO PAROLE MAYBE HE WILL LEARN WHAT HE DID WAS WRONG

[@TwoBySevenLeo]

I hope to God that not only everyone is ok, but on the original vehicle that was pulled over - hope they waived the ticket on that one!

[@psweeneyville]

This is another reason why police should put detainees & question them in their cars during stops and not do them on the side of the road! This happens over & over no matter how many lights the have.

[@JWTiny]

Well, considering at the point of the initial stop (which entails the ofc getting out and making contact with the driver) there is no lawful reason to have anyone exit a vehicle. Picking the safest spot is the best option, in this case a wide shoulder. I would have made contact at the passenger side of the car. Cant control a drunk slamming into a marked patrol car, but if you do need to get occupants out for a lawful reason, you do need to keep them safe and sometimes thats hard to accomplish. If u believe the driver may be impaired, you cant have them move their vehicle to a safer spot,,,, if u intend on having them perform field sobriety tasks, u need them recorded and not everyone has body cams. So you are now in front of the squad and in the crush zone. There is usually never a 100% safe way, just have to do the best you can. I have a dozen stories i could tell about faults being inside, outside of cars, along a barrier'd side, up on an embankment- heck, in the middle of a vacant parking lot (an ED person targeted the officer and attempted to kill him by intentionally ramming him while on a traffic stop (should have been about as safe as u get)

[@vivians9392]

I lived in the subdivision that East River Dr. enters from I 59/69, and the overpass they are on didn't exist then. There was 2 lane north freeway with a wide grassy median and wide land area to pull off hwy. This is the danger of overheads because there is nowhere to go!

[@midgie4410]

How about saying something about the drunk?!

[@traviscoates6878]

Mr. Potato Head said it best...Slow Down!!!!!

[@--pbrstreetgang--]

Drunks steer toward what they're looking at. So with police lights it's like moths to a flame.

[@samanthagomez7074]

Wow wow wow wow wow Horrible Car Crashes Crazy Drunk Driver. Omg 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 From Edinburg Texas

[@wbuttry1]

lucky nobody was killed.

[@im2cutesosueme121]

Until this guy sobers up who knows what injuries he really has. He shouldn't be taking a field sobriety test he should be at the hospital getting checked out and a blood test.

[@asmodeus1274]

He could have refused the FST and that’s exactly what would happened. FST are a waste of time, just take a blood draw asap

[@trkr57]

@@asmodeus1274 should be like CDL, any crash is mandatory blood draw!

[@allisonchains113]

Prayers to the officers involved, and also to the suspect who was cuffed. I can’t imagine being dragged beneath the car, not knowing at first wtf was happening. Can they give Tesla drunk attempted manslaughter along with DUI. I mean, things could have gone much worse had he been inches more toward the truck and officers’ cars.

[@jasonleeward1972]

Wow wat idiots....to many getting way to drunk at bars mayb bars need to b held accountable just a thought

[@jamiecollins228]

Lol drinking and driving will never stop just saying when cops dont do check points.

[@asmodeus1274]

Check points were ruled unconstitutional in TX

[@DEANNADOG1keeshound]

Hmmmmm wondering if the TELSA WAS ON AUTO DRIVE,,, 🤔 🧐 🤨

[@chrismaze3441]

That officer can barely do it without stumbling how do they expect a drunk to do it

[@digitallantern593]

Genius

[@depotdan4654]

It’s not just a speed issue, few people use turn signals and seemingly most drivers do not understand or follow laws related to lane management. Either stay in the left or as we see here, stay in the right when passing emergency vehicles. It’s a shame. Why can’t the Transtar electronic be used to post these laws instead of showing COVID threat levels??

[@oshi8994]

He didn't kill anyone, so he'll just get a slap on the wrist and pay some money. No justice.

[@alice2663]

Wow. 😳

[@nunyabiznes5792]

so no tesla auto pilot.

[@SteelersNation763]

DUI's first offense mandatory license suspension no breaks period no second chances you should know better

[@savedbygrace246]

maybe they should stop selling beer.. its no different than drugs. oh but they can tax neer so its legal even if it does hurt ppl. or maybe police should stop pulling ppl over on freeways!! putting ppl life in danger. and that (enough is enough) is a stupid political slogan.

[@monteclark1115]

The battery didn’t explode and nobody got electrocuted.

[@johnathancee4754]

Im suprised that tesla didnt catch on fire. They are known for that.

[@lornebailey1568]

It is said that drunks tend to veer toward emergency lights, I was directly behind a pretty hard crash on the interstate a few days ago after 1 AM , I'm lucky I missed being involved but i'll tell you people something you may not realize. It is fkn' scary out there. I called 911 and then got my truck in front of the crash scene , one car barely off the left lane in the grass median and another on the right , hard against the guard rail. I went to the folks on the right shoulder as i saw the people on the left were out and getting further into the median away from there car. It is scary as hell being out there, the oncoming traffic in all 3 lanes flying by without even slowing down through the debris field. I was behind the guard rail and still scared and the people wouldn't listen , they stayed on the shoulder behind their car. WTF is wrong with people ?

[@jeffgortz338]

Keep an open mind people, maybe it was a drunk " tesla" self driving car, how about the " canine officer"???, it's a police dog,!!!!!!!!!

[@txman201]

A self-driving car is STILL the responsibility of the operator behind the wheel. The law is clear that vehicles must move over to another lane if available, or slow down 20mph below the speed limit. No matter his condition, it was the driver's responsibility, not the car's. Guilty!

[@LindaZeno]

A police dog IS a canine officer!!

[@lindakeys1883]

Looks like he should have stayed out of the bar and bought some new tires for that expensive car!!

[@starchipmunk92]

Salvage the motor and a few batteries and put it on a four-wheeler...weeeeee..

[@rolomaticz5009]

Nice $80K car in the scrap heap now, many of the sober people drive just as bad or fiddling with the phone and not paying attention to the 1.5 ton vehicle they're operating.

[@MrSmitty6969]

Why was the cop parked in the right lane of a two lane hi way ?

[@4runner510]

D.W.A.

[@cadoo5591]

Wouldn't that be "dragged" a short distance? Grammar checks needed on most of these descriptions.

[@B_M_F_710]

Stop pulling people over. Just get a picture of the car/plate/operator. Then mail a citation to the registered owners address. Traffic fatalities are the number one killer of LEO. Yet they never wear seat belts and keep pulling people over on the side of roads with traffic. Why not have the driver drive to a gas station or parking lot.... Strange I guess they are above the law.

[@midgie4410]

What if they were suspected of procession of drugs with intent to deliver? Or was pulled over because of a warrant?

[@stevenharper9066]

Park were it is safe

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

I bet the Tesla driver was drinking (t)rump vodka and was trying to stay warm by playing strip poker with ted cruz. It happened in Texas, so.........

[@Nitrous-ej5zy]

Why do you gotta make it political you dolt? Drunk driving is just that, drunk driving... TDS is strong with you, maybe you should hand over the keys, your judgement is impaired....

[@jackiegarvie]

i get about drunk driving but guy was just in mjorn car accident... hospital n bloods because any good attorney can get guy noff regarding field sobriety test, because of accident m trama

[@randysmidt2702]

Driver was definitely impaired.

[@randysmidt2702]

Did you see the officer try to do the toe to toe, she almost tipped. That is a sign. Wonder if she was drinking.