A motorist avoided a felony charge related to striking a Texas police officer with a car after dash cam video showed what really happened.
The incident occurred on April 27, 2024, in Montgomery County, Texas.
Montgomery County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office Investigator Toby McLaughlin was directing traffic during the Memorial Hermann Ironman race when he was significantly injured.
Police initially believed that McLaughlin was struck by a car driven by David Wargetz of Houston.
Wargetz was issued a felony charge of Failure to Stop and Render Aid resulting in bodily injury. He was arrested and held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $30,000 bond.
Once officials viewed dash cam video of the incident, they opted to drop the felony charge, though they did add multiple misdemeanor charges.
The video shows the officer kicking the car driven by Wargetz, which resulted in the major injury.
From the Montgomery County Pct. 2 Constable:
Upon further investigation, which included reviewing video footage of the incident and Investigator McLaughlin’s statement after surgery, the Montgomery County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office have determined that the initial charge should be dismissed.
Mr. Wargetz will now be charged with the Class C misdemeanor offense of Obedience Required to Police Officers, School Crossing Guards, and Escort Flaggers.