Charges Against Driver Who Struck Round Rock Officer Upgraded

ROUND ROCK, TX — The motorist who struck a Round Rock police officer with his vehicle in February faces upgraded charges since the public servant's death from his injuries.

According to reports, a Williamson County grand jury indicted Raul Martinez, 64, on two counts of intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer and manslaughter. He originally was charged merely with intoxication assault after striking the officer, Charles Whites, who was directing traffic around an earlier collision involving the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian.

But Whites succumbed to his injuries on April 27, two months after being hit, prompting the more severe charges to be assessed. Police have said Reyes was on prescription medication the night he hit the officer, who as wearing a safety vest at the time with the lights on his patrol car engaged nearby. The driver is said to have rolled over the flares that had been placed on the roadway to warn approaching drivers.

Reyes now faces up to 20 years for the manslaughter charge and an additional five years to life for the intoxication manslaughter of a police officer if convicted, officials said.

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>>> Raul Martinez booking photo via Williamson County Jail records, photo of Officer Charles Whites courtesy of Round Rock Police Department