10-Year Sentence For Man Who Hit Deputy With Car Handed Down

AUSTIN, TX — An Austin man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for assaulting a public servant before evading arrest, the district attorney's office said on Thursday.

Preston Marcel Molina, 25, this week pleaded guilty to aggravated assault stemming from an incident earlier this year during which a Travis County Sheriff's Office deputy was struck and seriously injured by a car Molina was driving.

The case heard in 147th District Court before Judge Cliff Brown centered on a June 5 incident when Molina was visiting his probation officer at 10409 Burnet Rd., the DA's office said in a press advisory. Upon learning he was going to be arrested for an outstanding warrant, officials said, Molina ran out of the building and got in his car in the parking lot.

That's when deputies gave chase as Molina fled. Molina then struck Senior Deputy Richard Millers with his car sending him in the air and causing serious injury to his leg and lower body, prosecutors said. Several deputies chased after Molina’s car, which had to stop due to oncoming traffic, and held him at gunpoint. Molina’s grandfather, who was also in the car, removed the keys from the ignition and stopped the vehicle, officials noted.

“Our police officers, along with all of our first responders, risk their safety every day to help and protect everyone in our community,"Matthew Foye, Travis County Assistant District Attorney, said in a prepared statement. "The outcome in these cases demonstrates that Travis County citizens value that service. Those who harm police officers while they are protecting our community will be prosecuted. On behalf of the Vehicular Crimes Special Prosecution Unit and the entire Travis County District Attorney’s Office, we wish to express our appreciation and thanks to Deputy Millers for his service and bravery that day.”

Millers has since returned to work after recovering from his injuries.