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The Woodlands, TX (June 29, 2026) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the death of a deputy who was struck and killed on Saturday, June 27, after being struck by a commercial truck. The incident reportedly happened while the deputy was assisting at a crash scene on Interstate 45 near the Woodlands Parkway exit.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were on scene at approximately 2:39 a.m. after reports of a multi-vehicle crash involving suspected impaired driving. While working to manage traffic and secure the area, a heavy-duty truck towing a trailer entered the scene and struck Deputy Erika Serrato, who was directing traffic outside her patrol vehicle.
The truck also collided with two marked patrol units with emergency lights activated. Deputy Serrato, 24, was transported to a hospital where she later died. Another deputy was injured by debris from the crash and was treated for minor injuries before being released. Authorities also confirmed that a driver involved in the original crash was charged with DWI, while the commercial truck driver was transported to a hospital.
All northbound lanes of I-45 were shut down for several hours before reopening later in the day. Authorities continue to investigate the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deputy.
Why Secondary Crashes at Roadside Scenes Are a Serious Risk
Roadside crash scenes can become dangerous when passing traffic does not slow down or move over safely. Emergency responders usually work in active traffic lanes, making them vulnerable to secondary collisions involving uninvolved drivers or commercial vehicles.
Investigators in these cases typically review traffic control measures, visibility conditions, and driver behavior leading up to the secondary impact. Factors such as speed, distraction, and roadway congestion can all contribute to how these tragedies occur. These findings help improve future roadside safety practices.
