Man Rescued From Floodwaters in Menard County, Then Arrested for Ignoring Barricades

MENARD, TX — A Virginia man was rescued from rising floodwaters in Menard County on July 17 after calling 911 to report his vehicle was submerged up to the windows, but he was later arrested for disobeying warning signs and barricades. 

Maxwell Stevenson of Sumerduck, Virginia, placed the 911 call at 10:23 p.m. He told dispatchers he was on FM 864 and was climbing onto the roof of his vehicle as water rose around it. 

Menard County Deputy Armando Osornio responded along with crews from the Menard Volunteer Fire Department, Fort McKavett Volunteer Fire Department, Menard EMS and search-and-rescue teams already positioned in the county because of flooding from recent heavy rains. 

Stevenson was pulled from the water without injury to him or any responders. 

He was arrested and charged with disobeying warning signs and barricades over roads under Texas Transportation Code 472.022(a), a Class B misdemeanor. 

The Menard County Sheriff’s Office thanked all first responders for their work during the incident.