Off Duty Katy Officer Takes Action at Fatal Grand Parkway Crash

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

December 14, 2018

Written by Natalie Cook Clark

An off duty Katy officer rescued victims in a fatal, multiple car crash on Grand Parkway. Officer Johnny Alvarez acted quickly crawling through a vehicle window and using his own personal medical kit to treat victims until paramedics arrived.

Off Duty Time Doesn't Stop Katy Officer

On Wednesday a maroon pickup truck crossed westbound lanes on Grand Parkway and 2920 heading towards Tomball, crashing into oncoming traffic. According to the Sheriff's office the driver, 54-year-old Charles Glaze has a seizure condition and is cooperating with authorities. His truck slammed into multiple vehicles and was overturned when Officer Alvarez arrived on the scene shortly after the incident.

"Helping is just who I am. It's in my blood," said Officer Alvarez

Alvarez was off duty at the time but that didn't stop him from helping. He was with his wife and quickly pulled over to get her to safety before acting. She called for help.

"I've seen a lot of accidents in my time in the Marines and as an officer and this one was horrific," said Officer Alvarez.

He quickly approached the overturned pickup truck and climbed through a rear window to access Glaze and pull him to safety. Alvarez carries an extensive medical kit in his personal vehicle and was able to start treating victims until paramedics arrived.

"That's just the kind of person he is," said Chief of Katy Police Department Bill Hastings.

"I've wanted to be a police officer since I was a child. Helping people is just what I'm passionate about. My brother was a Marine so I followed him into service and when I was done there was no question for me about what I wanted to do," said Officer Alvarez.

Officer Alvarez joined the Katy Police Department last June and just finished his Rookie probationary period last month. He served as a U.S. Marine from 2002-2014.

Crash Claims Two Lives, No Charges Made

Glaze and four victims were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Woodlands. Two of those four died. One man, Micheal Brown passed away at the hospital from his injuries. He was driving a Chevy during the accident. Linda Fuggiti, also lost her life. she was driving a Lexus.

As of now Glaze has not been charged with anything. He told authorities that he doesn't remember the crash or right after it. It's unclear if he had been cleared by doctors to drive. Deputies reported at the time that he did not seem intoxicated and was cooperating fully with the investigation.

Victim who Caused Crash has Criminal History

While Glaze has a known medical condition he also has a previous criminal history. In 2017 he was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping and assault out of Montgomery County.

Investigators say a woman was visiting her son's gravesite when Glaze attacked her at the Klein Memorial Cemetery in Tomball. It's also reported that on a separate occasion another woman at the same cemetery felt uncomfortable by a man matching Glaze's description.

"He was actually a wanted felon not too long ago," said Hastings.

Glaze was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the crash and is currently out on a $250,000 bond for each charge. His trial is pending.

"I'm just glad I was there and able to assist. It truly was a horrible situation but there is no clock for me. I was just doing my job," said Alvarez.

While we praise Katy Officer Alvarez for his quick thinking and heroic being, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Micheal Brown and Linda Fuggiti, who died in the crash.

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