New Details Released in DUI Deaths of Pearland Officer

Amber Willemsen, a former school principal who has been charged with killing a rookie Pearland police officer while driving under the influence, was drinking at a strip club in Houston before the accident early Sunday, according to an affidavit.

Additional Details of the Tragic Pearland Accident

According to reports, the 38-year-old former principal was driving west on FM 518 when she allegedly crossed into the eastbound lane and struck the car of 31-year-old officer Endy Ekpanya around 3:15 a.m. Both drivers were rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital where Ekpanya was pronounced dead. According to an affidavit filed by the Brazoria County district attorney, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Darien Norman interviewed Willemsen at the hospital. The trooper said she had red glassy eyes and was slurring her speech.

In the affidavit, Willemsen said she was on her way to a friend’s house after she left work at the Ritz Gentleman’s Club around 2:30 a.m.

According to police, Willemsen admitted to drinking a beer and two cocktails while she worked at the club from 6 p.m. Saturday to 2:30 a.m. Sunday. She told the officer she couldn’t remember hitting the other car, the affidavit said.

While at the hospital, a blood sample was taken from Willemsen. She was later charged with intoxication manslaughter of a police officer. She is still being treated for injuries sustained in the accident, but will be transferred to the Brazoria County jail once she is released from the hospital.

Texas Auto Accident Statistics

The following information was provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):

• 3,534 people were killed in auto accidents in Texas in 2014, marking a 3.7-percent increase over the 3,408 deaths reported in 2013.
• Alcohol crashes were responsible for 1,041 fatalities in 2014, 29-percent of all recorded traffic fatalities.
• An additional 237,941 people were injured in auto accidents in Texas in 2014, with 17,152 people suffering serious injuries.
• TxDOT reports a reportable accident occurred every 66 seconds in 2014.