By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- A former Texas police officer was convicted in the 2024 crash that killed three people, including two children, authorities said.
- The former officer, identified as Johnathan Stelle, was found guilty on multiple felony charges in the June 2024 crash in Montgomery County.
- The collision occurred during a high-speed pursuit, and evidence showed excessive speed and reckless conduct by the officer.
- Three victims — two siblings and a third person — died as a result of the crash.
- Sentencing is scheduled later in 2026, and the case highlights scrutiny of pursuit policies.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX — A former police officer in Texas was convicted on felony charges in connection with a June 2024 high-speed pursuit that resulted in a crash killing three people, including two children, according to court records and news reports.
Jurors in a Montgomery County court found Johnathan Stelle guilty of multiple counts, including intoxication manslaughter and other felony offenses tied to the deadly collision that occurred during a pursuit in which the officer allegedly drove at excessive speed.
Prosecutors presented evidence showing the officer’s conduct violated department policies and contributed to the June 2024 crash that killed two young siblings and another motorist, court filings show.
The crash prompted internal and external reviews of pursuit protocols within the agency and broader debate over law enforcement vehicle pursuit practices in the region.
Stelle’s sentencing is scheduled later this year, and officials said they hope the conviction underscores accountability for officers involved in fatal traffic incidents.