Deputy Charged With DWI After Crash At Construction Site: Police

HOUSTON, TX -- A Harris County Sheriff’s deputy who ran her vehicle into a highway construction area and stranded her car in freshly poured concrete, was charged with driving while intoxicated, police said.

Deputy Grace Moreno, 57, an eight-year veteran of the department, was apparently on her way home when she turned under the U.S. 290 overpass, crashed through the construction barrels and got stuck in the wet concrete, police said.

An off-duty Houston Police officer, who was working security Tuesday night at the site, located in the 6400 block of West 43rd Street, saw the crash and helped free the woman before taking her into custody.

Construction crews used a forklift to remove Moreno’s car from the concrete, which officials said will cost about $2 million to repair.

Police said Moreno, who failed a field sobriety test, admitted to drinking four beers before the crash.

This was the second DWI offense for Moreno, who was charged with her first offense in 2010. Moreno completed a diversion program and the charges were dismissed.

Moreno has been reassigned to administrative leave with no inmate contact and will be designated civilian status until her case is resolved, according to a press release.

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Image: HCSO

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