A driver struck a Galveston County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was working an accident on Highway 87 at Crystal Beach, seriously injuring the deputy who “nearly went through the windshield,” according to information Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset provided to KFDM/Fox 4 News.
The Sheriff says large crowds turned out this year for the annual Jeep Weekend and he didn’t hold back his anger in describing the behavior of some who attended.
“People need to be responsible,” Sheriff Trochesset told KFDM/Fox 4. “They seem to leave their brakes behind when they come to the Bolivar Peninsula. They wouldn’t want people to treat their place like that.”
At least nine patients were flown by medical helicopter to hospitals for various injuries and dozens more were taken by ground ambulance, according to information Doug Saunders, ESD#2 Manager, provided to KFDM/Fox 4 News.
Sheriff Trochesset says as of late Sunday afternoon, his office had made 175 arrests, including 17 on felony charges.
Trochesset says Sgt. John Hamm was working an accident early Sunday morning on Highway 87 at Crystal Beach when a driver struck him.
“He nearly went through the windshield,” said Sheriff Trochesset. “He was flown by medical helicopter to UTMB. He has compound fractures of both legs, a broken arm and head injuries. He was conscious and talking. He was going into surgery Sunday morning. "
Deputies arrested the driver, Darius Gilbert, 22, on a charge of Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon. A judge set bond at $75,000.
The Sheriff says one woman was shot in the buttocks Saturday on Crystal Beach.
“We’ve had about 100 Deputies working Jeep Weekend,” said Sheriff Trochesset. “Here comes Memorial Day weekend and more big crowds just around the corner. I hope people will be more responsible.”
Doug Saunders, the District Manager of ESD#2, tells KFDM/Fox 4 the problems are generally not caused by the Jeep crowd but others who come in and create problems. He says the crowds leave behind a tremendous amount of trash that requires extensive manpower to clean up after the Jeep Weekend ends.
Saunders sent us this list of the resources devoted to Jeep Weekend and the call volume:
Galveston County ESD2 - 5 ambulances , 2 Paramedic Squads, 1 -Operation
Supervisor, 1 -Shift Supervisor
*Chambers County EMS - 1 ambulance
*Montgomery County Hospital District - 1 Ambulance
*Cy-Fair Fire Department- 1 District Chief / 1 -Ambulance
*Winnie-Stowell EMS - 1 ambulance
*Acadian Ambulance - Ambus MVP - 6-04
*Harris County ESD 5 -Crosby EMS SETRC mass
Medical Jets - 2 ambulances, 1 Sherp(Water Rescue Vehicle)
TexSar- 70 volunteers EMT’s , Paramedics , RN’s and support personnel.
Friday 5/20 0700 to 0700 Sunday 5/22
62 calls for service
69 patient contacts
9 patients flown
TexSar first responders 4 patient refusal’s
Galveston County ESD# 2 - ***JEEP WEEKEND CROWDS STRAIN EMERGENCY SERVICES***
Galveston County Emergency Services District #2 in cooperation with State and County representatives have been in planning for months to prepare for the annual Go Topless Jeep Weekend. This largely unsponsored event draws a multitude of visitors to the Bolivar Peninsula from around the region.
Currently, this large influx of crowds is straining emergency services on the Bolivar Peninsula. Galveston County ESD #2, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, Constable Precinct #3, multiple medical task forces from the State of Texas (TEXSAR), DPS, a MedJet Ambulance Strike Team, along with Crystal Beach VFD, Port Bolivar VFD, PHI Air Medical are continuing to provide emergency services.
There has been a significant increase in the size of the crowds this year, additional resources to support those already in place have been requested to ensure that emergency services are available for the protection of both the first responders and residents of the Bolivar Peninsula.
So far, eight patients have been flown out via air ambulance while several others have been transported by ground to local hospitals.
The Galveston County Emergency Services District 2 funds the Medical Emergency Services and the three Volunteer Fire Departments on the Bolivar Peninsula.
Doug Saunders
District Manager