062826 MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPUTY KILLED ON I 45

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — A Montgomery County Sheriff's Office deputy was killed and a second deputy injured early Sunday morning when a utility truck hauling construction material slammed into their patrol cars as they assisted with a crash on Interstate 45. Deputy Erika Serrato, who would have turned 25 next month, died of injuries suffered in the collision, which happened around 2:47 a.m. at I-45 and Woodlands Parkway. Deputy Hernandez, the second deputy involved, was struck by debris and is recovering. According to the Sheriff's Office, Serrato and Hernandez were helping Oak Ridge Police work a crash on the interstate when a heavy-equipment utility truck pulling a trailer loaded with concrete form material struck Serrato's patrol car. The impact pushed her vehicle into Hernandez's patrol unit and struck Serrato. Flying debris struck Hernandez. Deputies began CPR on Serrato immediately at the scene. She was transported to Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, where she was pronounced dead. Hernandez was also taken to the hospital and is expected to recover. Serrato began her career in law enforcement at 18, joining the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office as a jailer. Six years later, Sheriff Doolittle pinned her badge as she moved to the patrol division this past January. Hernandez has served with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office for the past year, following a 30-year career with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The crash was one of at least three separate incidents at the scene involving an estimated nine vehicles. I-45 northbound remains closed at Rayford Road and is expected to stay closed until mid-afternoon as the Texas Department of Public Safety State Crash Team works to determine which vehicles were involved in each collision.  The Sheriff's Office asked the public to keep the agency, Serrato's family, and Hernandez's recovery in their thoughts and prayers. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available