MESQUITE, Texas — A Leon County police officer was killed in a drunk driving crash.
Police in Mesquite – east of Dallas – said Mitchell Daniel Rector, 36, was working in an off-duty job in a construction zone on 635/LBJ when his car was hit by a suspected drunk driver.
Around 1:30 a.m. Monday, a 2015 Infinity Q50, driven by Elias Luevano-Gonzalez, 21, of Dallas, hit Rector’s 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, according to police.
Rector – an officer with the Oakwood Police Department – died from injuries suffered in the crash.
Luevano-Gonzalez is charged with intoxication manslaughter and unlawful carrying of a weapon. He’s being held in the Dallas County Jail on a $251,500 bond.
Law enforcement officers escorted Rector’s body from Dallas to Centerville on Wednesday.
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First responders, including the Dew Volunteer Fire Department, lined bridges over I-45 to pay their respects.
Rector previously worked for the police department in his hometown of Buffalo.
“Mitch was a very well-liked and respected member of our agency,” said the Buffalo Police Department. “He will be truly missed.”
Rector leaves behind two sons, ages 15 and 13.
The visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Buffalo Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Celebration Church located at 1984 W. US Highway 79 in Buffalo.
