TERRELL, Texas — Two citizens assisted an officer who was being assaulted by an alleged intoxicated man who was unfazed by the officer's deployed taser on Saturday.
TERRELL, Texas — Two citizens assisted an officer who was being assaulted by an alleged intoxicated man who was unfazed by the officer's deployed taser on Saturday.
The Terrell Police Department officer was initially dispatched to the area of westbound Interstate 20 near mile marker 501 for a reported reckless driver. The driver had exited and was at the Shell gas station.
The officer made contact with the driver who was "clearly intoxicated on an unknown substance," Terrell Police Department Captain A.D. Sansom stated in an email response to an inForney.com inquiry into the arrest.
"He was so intoxicated, that he attempted to flee in the vehicle upon contact, but the vehicle was not even running," stated Sansom.
The man, identified by Kaufman County Jail records as 22-year-old Joel Hernandez, then allegedly tried to bite the officer on the arm and face in attempts to start the vehicle and flee.
Sansom says the man continued to resist and the two exchanged several blows with the officer being struck in the face several times.
While backup units were responding, Sansom says the officer deployed his taser — with probes striking the man in the shoulder and cheek. The strike however, was ineffective.
The store clerk and a witness saw the struggle and assisted the officer in restraining Hernandez.
“Alone, the suspect could not have been restrained or arrested, without their help,” the unidentified officer stated in Sansom's response.
Both the officer and Hernandez were treated for injuries sustained during the incident — neither were described as life-threatening or incapacitating.
Hernandez was charged with assaulting a public servant with a $150,000 bond, resisting arrest, search, or transport with a $25,000 bond, and possession of marijuana less than two ounces with a $5,000 bond.
"Alcohol and drugs were found during a search incident to arrest," stated Sansom. "Suspicions are that the marijuana was laced with some other substance(s)."
“The Terrell Police Department plans to recognize the citizens publicly for their assistance to our officer," stated Sansom. "We have a great community spirit here. Two uninvolved citizens coming to the aid and assisting our officer is outstanding and we are very grateful they did."
Sansom says a similar incident was reported where uncontrolled rage behavior was reported during an arrest and assault of a police officer. The only drug found during this offense was also marijuana.