MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – A Montgomery County deputy has been fired and arrested after he was indicted in connection to a fatal 2024 crash which led to the death of another deputy.
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The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says Deputy James Francis was indicted by a grand jury in connection with a crash that occurred in Leon County on February 21, 2024. Francis has been terminated and was placed under arrest.
In the crash, Francis and Deputy Charles Rivette were transporting an inmate and were driving southbound on I-45 in Centerville when the patrol vehicle, driven by Francis, hit an 18-wheeler.
Rivette, who was a passenger in the patrol vehicle, was ejected onto the northbound lanes of I-45 where he was hit by a truck heading northbound on I-45. Rivette was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two more 18-wheelers also hit the patrol vehicle and Francis was taken to a hospital. The inmate being transported was also hospitalized.
“This is a serious matter, and the Sheriff’s Office remains committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability and integrity. The legal process will proceed accordingly, and the agency will continue to cooperate with all relevant authorities,” the sheriff’s office said.
“The loss of Deputy Rivette is deeply felt by all who knew and served alongside him, and the events that followed have only added to the sorrow. We stand firm in our responsibility to ensure accountability while also recognizing the gravity of this moment for everyone involved. Our thoughts are also with the individual who sustained life-altering injuries in this incident. In times like these, we must support one another, honor those we have lost, and remain steadfast in our commitment to justice and integrity,” said Sheriff Wesley Doolittle.
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