BASTROP, TX – Officials in Bastrop said two first responders were injured when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver Thursday evening.

A city news release posted on Facebook said Assistant Fire Chief Eric DeArmitt and Police Sergeant Charles Sanford were investigating a crash on West Texas 71 when 53-year-old Kenneth Crawford of Bastrop County approached the scene driving a Jeep Cherokee Latitude at about 6 p.m.

Crawford hit an emergency vehicle after putting his vehicle in reverse, then pulled forward and struck DeArmitt.  Officials said he kept going while Sanford tried to take control of the vehicle through the driver’s side window as he attempted to detain Crawford.

DeArmitt sustained a serious bodily injury in the incident and was taken to Ascension Seton Bastrop hospital, while Crawford suffered a minor injury.

Crawford was charged with intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury of emergency service personnel and aggravated assault against a public servant.  He was taken to the Bastrop County Jail. The city said more charges are pending in the case.

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