Authorities said a drunk Licking man — operating a vehicle — narrowly missed striking a county officer on a busy Houston highway.
Portes H. Esquivel, 32, of 228 Campbell St. in Licking, faces felony charges after an incident Dec. 10 in which he allegedly almost hit a Texas County Sheriff’s Department deputy. According to a probable cause statement submitted by the deputy to the county prosecutor, the incident began when the officer observed a blue Dodge Ram pickup sitting stationary in the turning lane on South Sam Houston Blvd. in front of the Lazy L Motel. The officer stated that when contact was made, the vehicle’s driver – Esquivel – appeared to be unconscious, with the motor still running and the shifter set in drive.
After he woke up, Esquivel reportedly opened the truck’s door and began to remove his seat belt, but then began driving away, with the truck almost striking the deputy. After several commands to stop the truck, Esquivel finally did, but reportedly then wouldn’t get out and had to be removed by the deputy and an assisting Houston police officer.
He then resisted until being subdued on the ground. Several open beer bottles were observed inside the truck, and Esquivel’s breath smelled of alcohol. He was taken to the Texas County Jail, and later charged with felony assault of a law enforcement officer and armed criminal action, and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.
Esquivel is held in jail on $200,000 bond.