Under age drunk driver kills Atascocita Volunteer firefighter
Monday, July 26, 2010
Liea Torres
– Arrest made one day after Harris County Sheriff, Adrian Garcia starts initiative to halt DWIs –
Harris County Sheriff’s detention officer Gregory Hundl, 25, was killed by a drunk driver while on his way home Saturday morning after working the night shift at 701 San Jacinto. The accident occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m., while the officer was on his motorcycle at a red light on the service road at Highway 59 and Aldine Bender.
According to reports, 19-year-old, Michele Renee Arnold, struck the motorcycle from behind throwing the officer approximately 100 feet. He was transported by ambulance to LBJ Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Arnold was also taken to the hospital where she was given a mandatory blood test. She was transfered to a Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) substation where a breathalyzer test showed a blood alcohol content level at nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. Arnold’s blood alcohol content was .147, she was charged with intoxication manslaughter and is being held at a Harris County Jail. Just a day earlier, Harris County Sheriff, Adrian Garcia, announced an initiative called Operation Shared Responsibility (OSR). OSR will combine law enforcement agencies and public education to reduce drunken driving in Harris County and will focus on DWI or alcohol-related offenses. Harris County ranks number one among the nation’s top 10 largest counties with the most alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
“No matter what the timing, this is a sad day for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and a tragic day for our entire community,” said Sheriff Adrian Garcia. “But it’s even more tragic considering that just a few days ago, law enforcement agencies and private industry joined me in announcing a new initiative against drunken driving, in which we ask the public to join with us in reducing this deadly scourge that unfortunately has made Harris County notorious. In the memory of Detention Officer Gregory Hundl, I urge everyone to prevent intoxicated individuals from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.”
Officer Hundl served with Harris County Sheriff’s office since 2008 as a jailer. He previously served the U.S Navy and was active in the Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department.
“Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department extends their heartfelt sympathies to Greg’s family for their loss. Rest in peace brother, we’ll miss you,” said a post on the AVFD Facebook page.
