BELTON, Texas — The Belton Police Department have wrongly identified a person of interest in a hit-and-run that injured a deputy.
The deputy was injured Sept. 30, outside of the Bell County Expo Center, according to the police department.
Police released surveillance photos of Samantha Reaux in a nearby hotel parking lot on Tuesday morning. They asked anyone who recognized her or the vehicle suspected to be involved in the hit-and-run to call police.
Reaux called 25 News on Wednesday after being told by her husband police showed images listing her as a "person of interest."
"It was literally putting a target on my back."
"It was very hurtful. It was embarrassing," said Reaux, adding it disparaged her character.
25 News contacted Belton police who then reached out to Reaux.
While they did not issue an apology for the mistake, a city spokesperson said the mother of three children is no longer suspected of being involved in the hit-and-run.
"As a courtesy, we have removed (Reaux's) pictures from social media posts," said Paul Romer, the public information officer for the City of Belton.
Reaux said she attended TLC's Celebration Of CrazySexCool concert with her husband on Sept. 30 at the Bell County Expo Center.
One of the surveillance photos released by police shows her in the lobby of the LaQuinta located next door. Reaux said her husband had gone in to ask where he could park.
Now, the misidentification has left Reaux feeling anxious about returning to work.
"It's defamation of my character," Reaux said. "They need to investigate this information before they post it."
Police released a description of the hit-and-run vehicle on Wednesday. They are looking for a white 2014-2016 Acura MDX with a missing driver's side mirror, which broke off during the hit-and-run.
Reaux said they were in a blue 2021 Kia sedan that night.
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call 254-933-5840, text tips to 254-217-6764, or call Bell County Crime Stoppers 1-254-526-8477.
