BEAUMONT, Texas — A Beaumont woman has been accused of driving drunk in connection with a wreck that injured a Beaumont Police Officer early Sunday morning.
Rayshirra Thompson, 26, of Beaumont, has been charged with intoxication assault causing severe bodily injury to a peace officer in connection with the wreck according to jail records.
Bond on the first degree felony charge has been set at $25,000 according to jail records.
A Beaumont officer was driving in the 2600 Block of the Interstate 10 Eastbound Service Road when a vehicle driven by Thompson, ran a red light and T-boned the patrol vehicle police said in a news release.
The collision caused the officer’s vehicle to spin and hit a utility pole, before coming to a stop in the middle of the roadway.
Beaumont Police officers drove the injured officer to a local hospital, to receive medical treatment.
It was discovered during the investigation that the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated.
The injured officer is walking away from the wreck with only a concussion and some bruises.
"I worry about my officers all the time but forget sometimes that they're at the mercy of these people driving while intoxicated," said Beaumont Police Chief Jim Singletary.
This was an wreck that was avoidable.
"Very troubling to me as the Chief of Police. My guys, like I've said, we've spent so much money on officer safety training, just driving down the street. This officers was just driving down the street and got hit by and individual that was impaired," Singletary said.
This wreck hits close to home for BPD. Two years ago officer Sheena Yarbrough-Powell was killed when a drunk driver slammed into her car.
"It's sad these, you know, law enforcement officers are on the roads everyday putting their life in danger to keep our community safe," said Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) Victim Services Manager Casie Harris.
BPD works closely with MADD to educate people about the dangers of drunk driving.
"Drunk driving is truly a choice made sober. You know you have to get home before you take that first drink. So you know, let's keep our roadways safe," Harris said.
There will be an increase of police units on patrol looking for drunk drivers on Halloween.
"Possibility of these kids running out in front of you. And drive slowly through the neighborhoods, and obey the traffic laws. And please don't get behind the wheel of the car if you've been drinking," said Singletary.
Chief Singletary wants you to know if you drive drunk on Halloween, you will get caught and arrested.
The investigation is still ongoing.
From a BPD news release:
On Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 1:03 a.m., a BPD Officer was traveling west in the 2600 Block of the IH-10 Eastbound Service Road, when his Patrol vehicle was struck by a vehicle that disregarded a stop light. The impact of the collision caused the officer’s vehicle to spin and strike a utility pole before coming to rest in the middle of the roadway. Assisting officers immediately placed the injured Officer in another patrol unit and drove him to a local hospital, where he received medical treatment. During the investigation, it was discovered that the driver of the at-fault vehicle was intoxicated. Rayshirra Thompson, a 26 year old Beaumont resident, was placed under arrest for Intoxication Assault. The injured BPD Officer sustained injuries that required medical treatment but is expected to make a full recovery. The investigation is on-going.