The family of Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Deputy Erika Serrato is suing four corporations, alleging they put an unqualified driver behind the wheel of the commercial truck that struck and killed the 24-year-old on I-45 near the Woodlands Parkway exit June 28.
The 17-page wrongful death lawsuit, filed July 17 by the Houston law firm Abraham Watkins on behalf of Serrato's parents Leticia and Rodolfo Serrato, names North Houston Pole Line, Quanta Services, Quanta Telecommunication Solutions and Element Fleet Corporation as defendants alongside driver Ian Perez, 20, of Houston. As we reported Aug. 4, the family had filed the suit, but the corporate defendants and specific negligence claims are now public.
North Houston Pole Line is a subsidiary of Houston-based Quanta Services. The suit alleges the Freightliner truck was linked to those three companies and owned by one of them through Element Fleet Corporation.
The central claim: the companies failed to exercise reasonable care in hiring Perez, failed to adequately review his driving history, evaluate his fitness for work and ensure he was qualified to operate a commercial vehicle.
"We are committed to seeking answers, accountability, and justice for Erika's family," attorney Brant J. Stogner said in an Aug. 4 statement.
What happened June 28
Serrato and other deputies were directing traffic around 3 a.m. at a DWI crash scene on northbound I-45 when Perez's heavy-duty Freightliner struck her, according to ABC13. The lawsuit alleges Perez fell asleep at the wheel while traveling approximately 65 mph and failed to see emergency lights, slow down, apply brakes or steer away.
The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested Perez that same day. He faces a misdemeanor charge of passing certain vehicles involving violent bodily injury, a move-over law violation. A magistrate set his bond at $10,000.
Three people total have been charged in connection with Serrato's death, including Ashton Jammer, who was arrested and charged with DWI for causing the original crash that brought deputies to the scene.
Corporate response
North Houston Pole Line and Quanta Services issued a joint statement Aug. 4 saying they are cooperating fully with authorities in the ongoing investigation. The companies expressed sympathy for Serrato's family and said they take safety very seriously.
The crash remains under investigation by DPS, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Mike Holley, who told the Houston Chronicle he believes the Legislature should consider making it a felony when a driver's failure to move over results in serious injury or death of a law enforcement officer.
What's next
The lawsuit seeks wrongful death damages, survival damages on behalf of Serrato's estate, exemplary damages, interest and court costs.
No hearing date has been set.
Separately, Montgomery County commissioners are scheduled to vote Wednesday, Aug. 12 on a $1.95 million proposal for mobile emergency barriers on I-45 and other corridors, prompted in part by Serrato's death.
Serrato began her career with the sheriff's office as a detention officer at age 18 before becoming a commissioned deputy earlier in 2026.
