MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A Montgomery County Sheriff's Office deputy was injured early on Saturday, October 24, when a passing vehicle struck his marked patrol car on Interstate 45 and fled the scene, the sheriff's office said in a statement reported by Woodlands Online.

Source: Woodlands Online / Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

Deputies were investigating a suspected intoxicated driver in the 14000 block of I-45. A second deputy arrived in a marked patrol vehicle with its emergency lights activated to protect the first deputy, and was beginning to exit his vehicle when the passing vehicle failed to move over or slow down and struck the patrol vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies identified the vehicle that left the scene, went to its registered address and found damage consistent with the collision and evidence that supported its owner, Elizabeth Perez, 33, as the driver, the sheriff's office said. Perez was arrested on charges of felony failure to stop and render aid, passing an emergency vehicle causing bodily injury, and driving while intoxicated. The driver of the initial traffic stop, Jacob Zamora, 24, was also arrested on a DWI charge. Both were booked into the Montgomery County Jail. The charges are allegations and the cases have not been decided in court.

Source: KPRC Click2Houston, via MoCo Ledger

The deputy involved in the crash was treated for his injuries at an area hospital and has been released, the sheriff's office said.

Sheriff Wesley Doolittle reminded drivers that Texas' Move Over or Slow Down law requires drivers approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights activated to move out of the nearest lane if it is safe to do so, or slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. Interstate 45 is a major Texas freight and commuting corridor used heavily by truckers, including Punjabi drivers in the diaspora.