Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Jesse Valdez III, 32 Photo courtesy of HCSO.
BAYTOWN, Texas (AP) — Authorities say a woman is facing a drug charge after an SUV she was driving crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into a Harris County sheriff's patrol car, killing a veteran deputy.
Thirty-two-year-old Jesse Valdez III was airlifted to a hospital where he died early Wednesday morning. Valdez was an 11-year veteran of the sheriff's office. He's the 40th member of the office to die while on duty in its 177-year history.
Valdez's vehicle landed in a drainage ditch after it was struck head-on near Baytown. Harris County officials say 29-year-old Kelly Jo Ivey has been charged with possession of a controlled substance. She was taken to the hospital for treatment and has an initial court appearance scheduled for Thursday.
She's being held without bond at the Harris County jail.
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