DPS VEHICLE STRUCK IN SOUTH BRAZOS CO. CRASH
A DPS patrol vehicle was hit this (Wednesday) morning as it was stopped alongside Highway 6 in south Brazos County.
DPS reports say around 10 a.m., a 2006 Ford Focus was driving northbound on Highway 6 near Westward Ho, east of Millican, when it drove onto the shoulder and partially in the ditch. The vehicle struck a DPS Chevrolet Tahoe that was stopped on the shoulder with its lights activated, assisting a stranded driver.
The driver of the DPS SUV was out of the vehicle when the crash occurred. A TxDOT employee was inside the vehicle and was treated at the scene.
(Brazos Co. Jail)
The driver of the Ford, 31-year-old Edrick Peterson of Navasota, was taken to Baylor Scott & White Hospital for injuries. Peterson was booked into the Brazos County Jail for Driving While Intoxicated and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
The crash remains under investigation.
I completely agree that if this person is guilty of driving under the influence, he should be prosecuted and held accountable. However, charging him with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon while allowed by Texas law, seems like they are going above and beyond the scope of the crime he allegedly committed. Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon seems like it would require a very specific intent to harm this DPS officer; while I understand the argument that by drinking and driving some may think that shows his intent, however I believe a more honest evaluation of the facts would show someone that he is probably suffering from alcoholism and made a bad decision to drink and drive, a crime which he should be charged with and prosecuted for. As to why I am concerned about this there are two reasons, this man is a human being who must face the consequences of his decision, but the lengthy prison sentence being added on to his alleged actual crime does not appear to appear to fit the crime, and I believe when law enforcement throws everything they can think of into a charge, it erodes their credibility as people who are interested in public service and makes them appear to be after the big charges with the big fines and not really interested in punishment that fits the crime and helping people like this recover.
A couple of these comments reflect the insane mentality of way too many people in society…drink too much and crash into someone…possible injure or kill…not big deal…police are too harsh…smash stores and steal all sorts of stuff…not a big deal…some criminal got shot by police while committing a crime but the police are the problem…riot, burn buildings, attack Supreme Court justices no big deal…they simply interpreted the racist US Constitution…it goes on and on…everybody is a victim and therefore they do need to behave!!
Law enforcement did their job. They got someone off the streets before they killed someone. If that DPS trooper was standing in front of his Tahoe when it was hit, he might not have gone home at the end of his shift.
I hate it when law enforcement goes to far. This accident should not have happened and if the driver of the vehicle that struck the DPS unit was intoxicated the arrest on that charge was correct. However, charging this guy with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon is to much, unless he purposely targeted the DPS vehicle with the goal of hurting the occupants, this charge seems misplaced. It sounds like a drunk dude that lost control and accidently hit a vehicle, which he was correctly arrested for, he did no assault anyone. Law enforcement needs to do it’s job and be respected for it, but they need to be realistic when arresting and charging people.
Google it for Texas and you will find that a person who injures another with a motor vehicle, while intoxicated, can be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
You are so very right. My friend is being charged for assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon and he did what you just described. My friend may serve 20 years of his life in jail.
Driving a stolen vehicle as well.
When you are irresponsible with a deadly weapon the person should know what the consequences are.
(ie. death)
A charge is just a charge. Can be dropped or reduced later.
But not sure why you’re concerned that the charge is too harsh.
If you’re so drunk that you crash into a DPS vehicle in broad daylight, you should be charged with a felony.
I hope he gets the help he needs.
knowingly, intentionally or recklessly… its kinda written in the law so…