LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas – A head constable in Liberty County is facing serious charges following a deadly UTV crash.
Precinct 1 Constable Tammy Bishop turned herself in to the Liberty County Jail Wednesday after being indicted on charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault.
KPRC 2 obtained surveillance video of the crash, which occurred on May 10 at the intersection of 610 and County Road 133. The crash claimed the life of 40-year-old Jessica Rivera, a beloved mother and special needs teacher. KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel spoke with Rivera’s family, who are seeking accountability for the tragedy.
Jessica Rivera’s family is devastated and hopes for justice. They shared that Rivera was good friends with Constable Tammy Bishop’s family. Witnesses reported seeing Bishop driving the UTV with her son and Rivera on board. The group had stopped at a convenience store moments before the crash.
A cross adorned with flowers now marks the spot on County Road 133 where Rivera lost her life in a UTV crash on May 10th. Investigators said Precinct 1 Constable Tammy Bishop was the driver of the UTV and intoxicated behind the wheel.
Rivera’s parents told KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel they rushed to the hospital, but the loving mother of three did not survive.
“She was patient and kind,” said Philip Longoria, Rivera’s stepfather. “She loved her children very much.”
“She was very tough, very serious,” added Millie Longoria, Rivera’s mother.
Rivera’s parents said she was good friends with Bishop’s family. Witnesses told KPRC 2 they saw Bishop driving the UTV after stopping at a convenience store with her son and Rivera on board.
KPRC 2 obtained surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the UTV crash just before 1 a.m. The video shows the UTV veering off the road on 133 before slamming into a concrete driveway, flipping and landing in the grass. Rivera landed in the road. A witness drives up and gets out of their vehicle to help. Bishop’s voice appears to be heard in the video asking to call 911.
Bishop and her son were also injured in the incident, according to investigators.
46 days later, Bishop turned herself in to the Liberty County Jail. According to her indictment, she is accused of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. A grand jury has charged her with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. Records indicate that Bishop has already posted a $60,000 bond.
Millie Longoria expressed her frustration, stating, “We all make mistakes in life, but Tammy gets to bond out and go home, while my baby does not.” She added, “Tammy, being a constable and upholding the law, should have known better than to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. That’s just not right.”
Rivera’s parents said she was a passionate special needs teacher at Patterson Elementary school in Conroe ISD. Her family is now now committed to living by her legacy. “We always stay together, always stick up for each other, always take care of each other no matter what,” Millie Longoria said
The Liberty County District Attorrney’s Office sent KPRC2 the following statement:
“The indictments of Precinct 1 Constable Tamara ‘Tammy’ Bishop on charges of Intoxication Manslaughter and Intoxication Assault make one principle clear: in Liberty County, no badge or title places anyone above the law. The State bears the burden in all criminal cases, we must prove each and every element of these offenses beyond a reasonable doubt, including that Constable Bishop was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated at the time of the offense. Following a thorough investigation by Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, I am confident that the evidence supports these charges and that we will meet our burden in court.
My office will prosecute this case with the same diligence, fairness, and integrity we bring to every prosecution. We owe that to the family of Jessica Rivera, to the injured survivor, and to every citizen who trusts the justice system to hold offenders accountable. Constable Bishop’s cases are now before the 75th District Court and we are ethically prohibited from releasing facts of the case and must refrain from additional comment at this time.” - Jennifer Bergman, Liberty County District Attorney