Hunter Joe Benitez

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information ORIGINAL CDR Number: 24-1588-UF Version Type: VERSION 12/3/2024 11:59 Report Date: Status: Submitted AM Agency/Facility Information Montgomery 21130 U.S. Hwy 59 Agency Name: County Constable Agency Address: #C Precinct 4 Agency City: New Caney Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 77357 Director Information Director Salutation: Constable Director First Name: Kenneth Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Hayden Reporter Name: Jesse Bullinger Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: Hunter Middle Name: Joe Last Name: Benitez Suffix: Date of Birth: 3/28/1994 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 30 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 11/3/2024 12:55 Incident: AM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 11/3/2024 1:34 AM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results Evaluation?: pending What was the manner of death? (select only one) Pending autopsy Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Manner of Death: results Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Subject jumped off over pass and fell approx. 43 feet was unresponsive and HFD (Houston Fire Dept.) called time of death at 0134. Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: No If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Who caused the death?: Decedent If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Unknown death?: Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Means of Death: Other, specify Subject jumped off over pass and fell approx. 43 feet while attempt to flee from law Means of Death Other: enforcement he was unresponsive upon landing and HFD Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- (Houston Fire Dept.) called time of death at 0134. Location / Custody Information Where did the event causing the death occur? Street Address: US 59 at I-10 City: houston County: Harris Zip: 77020 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Roadway/highway/street/sidewalk What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Pre-Custodial Use Type of Custody: of Force Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Custody of Law Enforcement Personnel during/fleeing arrest What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Entry Date Time: Entry Date Time N/A: Where did the death occur? Death Location: Scene of incident Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Other Agencies Respond?: Yes What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: Unlawful Possession of Firearm (felon) Offense 2: Evading in motor vehicle Offense 3: Evading on foot Not filed at time of Were the Charges:: death What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of Offense: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of No weapons: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Attempt to Injure Others?: No At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or Unknown Make suicidal statements?: No drugs): Exhibit any mental health No Exhibit any medical problems?: No problems?: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or No No standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's No No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to No Yes including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On 11/03/2024 at approximately 1255 am a Pct.4 Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a motorcycle for multiple traffic violations. The motorcycle was traveling south on US Hwy 59 near FM 1314 in Porter, TX inside Montgomery County. The Pct. 4 Deputy activated his emergency equipment (lights and siren) in a clearly marked patrol vehicle on all side of the vehicle, and the driver began accelerating at a high rate of speed attempting to flee from law enforcement. The Pct.4 Deputy pursued the vehicle for approximately 20.09 miles, which took place in both Harris and Montgomery County. The motorcycle lost control on a curved overpass of US HWY 59 near I-10 and struck the cement barrier, which resulted in the subject to come off his motorcycle. The subject immediately got up and began fleeing law enforcement on foot. The subject jumped the over the concrete barrier into the HOV lane from the south bound main lanes of US 59 and then reached another concrete barrier. The subject then jumped over that barrier in a perceived attempt to continue fleeing into the northbound main lanes. In that area of US Hwy 59, there is an open gap separating the north and Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- south main lanes. The subject fell in that gap, resulting in the subject falling approximately 42 feet onto an I-10 connecting ramp down below. There was a loud popping sound heard by the deputy which he believed was possibly a gunshot. The subject was observed unresponsive and not moving. Medical assistance was immediately requested and the subject was later pronounced deceased at the scene by medical professionals at 0134 am. Houston Police Department was contacted and is currently working an investigation to the subjects death and Pct.4 Constables office is still waiting for the results of the investigation. At the time of this summary, the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office has yet to conclude their autopsy. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7