Drunk Driver Strikes Temple Police Officer with SUV While Fleeing Scene of Disturbance

A Temple man faces felony charges after he struck a police officer while fleeing the scene of a disturbance in an SUV.

22-year-old Louis Delagarza was arrested Sunday morning and charged with driving with an invalid license and driving while intoxicated. He is currently in the Bell County Jail, and investigators are preparing additional felony charges for review by the Bell County District Attorney's Office.

According to a press release, Temple police were responding to a disturbance call in the 1000 block of S. 43rd St. around 12:31 a.m. when they spotted Delagarza sitting in a vehicle nearby. They heard a man yelling and then a popping sound they thought might be gunfire.

As officers approached Delagarza's vehicle, he sped away and made a sharp right turn, striking an officer. Police later located the empty vehicle in the 900 block of S. 43rd St. Delagarza was found wandering nearby and taken into custody without incident.

The injured officer was treated at Baylor Scott and White and later released.

Investigators are preparing additional felony cases for review by the Bell County District Attorney's Office.