CENTERVILLE, Texas — One deputy is dead and another deputy was injured in a five-vehicle crash while they were transporting an inmate from Oklahoma to Montgomery County, according to the sheriff's office. The inmate was also injured.
The crash happened around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday about five miles south of Buffalo, Texas and is being investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office identified the deputy who died as Charles Rivette, an 18-year veteran of the agency. Rivette has a son who Sheriff Rand Henderson said works as a jailor with MCSO.
The injured deputy has been identified as James Francis, who's been with MCSO for 14 years. The inmate has only been identified as a 38-year-old man who had a felony DWI charge. The two were flown to separate hospitals with what MCSO called serious injuries.
Texas DPS Sgt. Justin Ruiz said the initial investigation suggests the deputies were driving southbound on I-45 when they crashed into a Freightliner truck. Rivette, who was in the passenger seat, was ejected onto the northbound lanes and hit by a truck. Two 18-wheelers then crashed into the MCSO patrol vehicle, according to Ruiz.
The freeway at that spot was closed for a little less than 24 hours. Ruiz said there were not any street lights in the area of the crash.
Sheriff Henderson said Francis was awake and his condition was stable. The inmate was still in critical condition Thursday morning.
"The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office family is lifting up Deputy Rivette, Deputy Francis and the injured inmate in our prayers," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.
The sheriff said this was the agency's first line-of-duty death since 1876.
Grief counselors and chaplains are being provided to those impacted by the crash. Henderson said the 100 Club has committed to a sizeable donation to support Rivette's family.