Suspect Arrested, Charged in Intoxicated Assault of HPD Officer

Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the intoxication assault of a Houston police officer that occurred at 4300 Southwest Freeway (South U.S. Highway 59) about 2:55 a.m. today (Friday, July 28).

The suspect, Bianca Chanelle Bennett (b/f, 25), is charged with intoxication assault in the 339th State District Court. A photo of Bennett is attached to this news release.

Both officers injured in this incident were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Officer R. Carter was sworn in as an HPD officer in November 2010 and remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Officer C. Herrera was sworn in as an HPD officer in August 2013 and was treated and released. Both officers are assigned to the HPD Traffic Enforcement Division’s DWI Task Force.

HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sgt. E. Fendia and Officer J. Glenn reported:

Officers Carter and Herrera observed a one-car crash on the Newcastle exit ramp of the Southwest Freeway. After using their patrol car to block the exit ramp, they got out of the vehicle to investigate the crash. While investigating, the suspect, driving a black Ford Focus, driven between the patrol car and the cement barrier. Officer Carter was struck in the leg by the Focus while he attempted to get out of the way by jumping over a concrete barrier to the ground below, leading to them being injured in a car accident. Officer Herrera also attempted to get out of the way of the Focus by jumping over the barrier. Both officers fell more than 15 feet, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

Other officers on the scene arrested the driver of the Focus without incident and, following a DWI investigation, she was charged with intoxication assault. After a car crash, people are extremely shaken up and may sustain injuries from mild to severe, luckily these police officers did not have serious injuries, but some are not so fortunate. If a crash like this has happened to you, due to another driver, you’ll be eligible to seek damages after an accident with a lawyer who specializes in this area.

Bianca Chanelle Bennett

KJS/JKS 7-28-17
Inc. #094942117-W