A head on crash in Navasota that killed a Navasota police officer and a wrong way driver began with the wrong way driver attempting to elude College Station police. A CSPD Facebook post says on Wednesday afternoon (January 15), their officers were trying to stop a person who was accused of attempting to cash a fraudulent check at a bank on Rock Prairie Road west of the freeway. CSPD ended its pursuit when the suspect starting driving south in the northbound lanes of Highway 6 near Millican. The head on collision with the wrong way driver and the Navasota officer was on the north side of Navasota near the FM 3090 exit. The officer who was killed, Mark Butler, had been with the department since June 2021 and was promoted to sergeant last October. The name of the other driver has not been released. The city of Navasota has announced the city and Citizens State Bank, have established the Mark Butler Memorial Fund, to provide support to his family. Donations can be made at Citizens State Bank branches in Navasota, Brenham, Burton, Somerville, Caldwell, Snook, and Deanville, or by mailing a check to the City of Navasota at P.O. Box 910, Navasota, TX 77868 (payable to the Mark Butler Memorial Fund). The city also announced a candlelight vigil will be held Thursday (January 16) starting at 6 p.m. outside Navasota city hall. Original story, January 15 2025: A Navasota police officer is killed by a wrong way driver. A city of Navasota spokeswoman says Sgt. Mark Butler served in the military before joining the police department in June 2021. Butler was promoted to sergeant in October 2024. The department of public safety (DPS) says Butler was driving his patrol SUV on Highway 6 when it was struck head on by an oncoming SUV. The other driver, who also died, has been pursued by College Station police. The identity of the other driver will be released after family members are notified. A DPS spokesman said the crash, which took place Thursday (January 15) around 3:15 p.m., closed the highway until approximately 9 p.m. News release from the Texas department of public safety: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash on state Highway 6 approximately .70 miles north of Farm-to-Market 3090. The preliminary investigation indicates that on January 15, 2025, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the College Station Police Department was actively pursuing a female suspect driving a 2023 Black Jeep Wrangler while southbound on SH-6 in Brazos County. During the pursuit, the Jeep exited SH-6 at Farm-to-Market 2154. The driver turned eastbound on FM 2154 and then turned southbound in the northbound lanes of the service road of SH 6, where the College Station Police Department terminated the pursuit. The Jeep continued southbound, entering an exit ramp onto SH-6 northbound lanes and began traveling south, against the flow of traffic. The Jeep traveled into Grimes County where a 2023 clearly marked Navasota Police Department Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling northbound on SH 6 when the Jeep struck it head-on. The driver of the Chevrolet, Sergeant Mark Butler with the Navasota Police Department, was transported to CHI St. Joseph Hospital – Grimes Hospital – Navasota, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The driver of the Jeep was pronounced deceased on the scene, her identity will be released pending identification of the driver and notification of kin. The Texas Highway Patrol (THP) District Crash Reconstruction Team with the assistance of the State Crash Team is conducting this ongoing investigation. No additional information is available for release at this time. News release from the city of Navasota: This afternoon, the City of Navasota and the Navasota Police Department suffered a devastating loss as one of our officers tragically passed away in the line of duty. At approximately 3:30 p.m., the officer was involved in a vehicle accident during a pursuit of a suspect. Despite the heroic efforts of first responders, the officer succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. The suspect involved in the pursuit was also pronounced deceased at the scene. The fallen officer, Sergeant Mark Butler, was a dedicated public servant who exemplified courage, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. “This is a heartbreaking day for our department and our city,” said Michael Mize, Chief of the Navasota Police Department. “We grieve the loss of a beloved member of our law enforcement family and ask for the community’s prayers and support during this unimaginable time. Sergeant Butler’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.” The City of Navasota extends its deepest condolences to Sergeant Butler’s family, friends, and colleagues. We remain united in honoring his life and service, while we work to support those affected by this incident. The incident is under review by the Texas Department of Public Safety, with the full cooperation of outside investigative agencies. Details regarding funeral services and ways to honor Sergeant Butler will be shared as they become available. We ask for patience and privacy as the family and department mourn this loss.
