Montgomery County Woman Arrested After Hitting Patrol Vehicle on I-45 and Fleeing Scene

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- During the early morning hours of October 24, 2026, a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputy was conducting an investigation on a suspected intoxicated driver in the 14000 block of I-45.

A second deputy arrived on scene and was positioned in a marked patrol vehicle with its emergency lights activated to protect the deputy conducting the investigation. As the assisting deputy began exiting his vehicle, the driver of a passing vehicle failed to move over or slow down striking the patrol vehicle. After the collision, the driver fled the scene and failed to stop and render aid.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Deputies quickly identified the vehicle that left the scene of the accident and responded to the registered address. There, they located the vehicle with damage consistent with the collision and evidence which supported the owner, 33-year-old Elizabeth Perez, as the driver.

Perez was arrested for Failure to Stop and Render Aid, a felony; Passing an Emergency Vehicle Causing Bodily Injury; and Driving While Intoxicated. The driver of the initial traffic stop, 24-year-old Jacob Zamora, was also arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. Both were booked into the Montgomery County Jail. The deputy involved in the accident was treated for his injuries at an area hospital and has been released.

Sheriff Wesley Doolittle reminds drivers that protecting those working along our roadways is a shared responsibility. Texas’ “Move Over or Slow Down” law requires drivers approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its emergency lights activated to move out of the lane closest to the vehicle when safe to do so. If moving over safely is not possible, drivers must slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

Sheriff Doolittle remains dedicated to keeping Montgomery County roadways safe from impaired drivers through proactive enforcement. This incident is a painful reminder of the dangers deputies face and comes after the tragic line-of-duty death of Deputy Erika Serrato earlier this year. Sheriff Doolittle is committed to leading efforts to strengthen the law and better protect deputies, first responders, and others working along our roadways. Drivers are urged to remain alert, give emergency personnel room to work, and never drive impaired.