Deputy killed in Crash in Highlands

Deputy Jesse Valdez III

HIGHLANDS – At about midnight Wednesday, October 29, a Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy was travelling eastbound on East Wallisville Road crossing the intersection with Honeysuckle Street when an oncoming vehicle struck the deputy’s head-on, according to reports from the Sheriff’s office.

A dark colored Ford Explorer SUV travelling westbound on East Wallisville Road, crossed into the eastbound lane of traffic striking the Deputy’s marked patrol unit.

The Deputy’s vehicle was spun counter clockwise into a roadside drainage ditch, as the Explorer spun into the center of the intersection.

EMS personnel were called to the scene where extraction tools were used to withdraw the Deputy from his severely damaged vehicle.

The Deputy was transported via LifeFlight to Memorial Hermann Trauma Center, where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 1:00 AM.

The female driver of the SUV was transported via ground to the same hospital, where she is under the care of physicians. A male passenger was treated on scene, and is currently cooperating with traffic investigators.

Deputy has been identified as Jesse Valdez III and the female driver as Kelly Jo Ivey, 29.

The entire Harris County Sheriff’s Office is in mourning following the news of the passing of one of its brethren in the line of duty. The 32 year old Deputy was an 11 year veteran assigned to the patrol bureau.

Pending notification of the Deputy’s family, all identities are currently withheld.