HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The suspected drunk driver who allegedly hit a DPS trooper while he was conducting a separate traffic stop early Friday morning appeared in probable cause court Saturday afternoon.
“The suspect fled from the scene after striking the trooper, and then continued his flight on foot, and was apprehended by the Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies a short distance from the scene,” DPS Lt. Craig Cummings said about Jose Rico.
The hit and run happened just before 2:30 a.m. heading south near Upland Willow Avenue and Highway 249 was shut down in both directions after.
On Saturday evening, the Texas Department of Public Safety said the trooper's condition was serious but stable.
Inside PC court Saturday, a judge shared more details on Rico’s alleged conditions when he was arrested.
“Strong of alcohol on his breath. Bloodshot, glassed over eyes. He admitted to drinking beer. 14 out of 18 clues on field sobriety tests," the judge said.
The judge also listed the charges Rico is now facing.
“Intoxication assault, which is a second-degree felony. Failure to stop and render assistance after an accident involving serious bodily injury, which is a third-degree felony,” they said. “You have also been charged with evading arrest or detention, which is a class A misdemeanor.”
For the intoxication assault charge, a bond has been set for $50,000 and for failing to stop and render aid, a $30,000 bond has been set.
In court, the judge said the trooper was suffering from a brain bleed and broken ribs.