Raul Martinez, 65, has been charged with intoxication assault, a felony, after his vehicle struck a Round Rock Police officer directing traffic on I-35 Sunday, Feb. 25. Martinez is currently being held at the Williamson County Jail. Police Officer Charles Whites, the 18-year veteran who was struck Sunday morning, remains in serious condition.

At 5:27 a.m. Sunday, Round Rock Police received a welfare call about a pedestrian walking near I-35. When officers arrived on scene, a deceased person was found on the highway near Old Settlers Boulevard. The deceased has been identified as Amir Azad, 25. A suspect in Azad’s death has not been identified. Northbound I-35 was closed to allow first responders to work the scene. At approximately 6:40 a.m., Officer Whites was struck by a car on the highway near Palm Valley Boulevard, while directing traffic around the scene. 

Were you driving on IH-35 in Round Rock between 5-7 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25? We’re still asking for tips and dashcam footage regarding the vehicle that struck and injured Officer Charles Whites and the vehicle that struck and killed pedestrian Amir Azad. Contact Officers Jim Bell (jhbell@roundrocktexas.gov) and Lauren Weaver (lweaver@roundrocktexas.gov) with any info. You can submit an anonymous tip here: https://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/webTipForm.html

The Round Rock Police Officers Association and Round Rock Police Foundation are teaming up to accept donations to provide financial assistance to Officer Whites and his family. Click HERE for the official donation page. Find out how to donate via check and PayPal HERE.

At approximately 10 a.m., lightning struck in the area of Officer Patrick Turck, Officer John Schultz, and law enforcement support technician Josh Lake while they were investigating both collisions. As a precaution, they went to the hospital, were checked out, and released.