Topline: Authorities say the teen was first hit by a vehicle, then seriously injured when a second attempt to free her went horribly wrong.
Published: October 3, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Angel Rupkey (via Overton Police Department)
OVERTON, TX — A Texas woman is facing a felony charge after what police are calling a “tragic and reckless” attempt to free a child who had been struck and pinned under a vehicle on school property in Overton, Texas.
According to Overton Police Chief Bryan Pool, 35-year-old Angel Brooke Rupkey was arrested Tuesday by U.S. Marshals in connection with the Saturday incident, which left a 13-year-old girl hospitalized with serious injuries.
Rupkey has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and remains in custody at the Smith County Jail on a $150,000 bond, according to a police news release.
Authorities say the chain of events began when the young teen was “accidentally struck” by a vehicle on property belonging to Overton Independent School District.
According to a statement from the Overton Police Department, the child became trapped beneath the vehicle, prompting several adults at the scene to attempt to extract her without calling 911. When those efforts failed, police allege Rupkey took matters into her own hands, got behind the wheel, and “intentionally drove over her a second time” in a misguided effort to free the girl.
“This tragic and reckless decision caused further injury to the victim and should have never occurred,” Pool told the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
Emergency crews from Christus EMS and the Overton Fire Department eventually arrived at the scene and provided care to the injured girl, who was airlifted to a hospital.
As of Tuesday, the child remained in stable condition, according to KLTV.
Authorities confirmed that neither the child nor any of the adults involved are residents of Overton or affiliated with Overton ISD. Rupkey was arraigned Wednesday, according to KLTV.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Published: October 3, 2025 8:00 am ET
Angel Rupkey (via Overton Police Department)
OVERTON, TX — A Texas woman is facing a felony charge after what police are calling a “tragic and reckless” attempt to free a child who had been struck and pinned under a vehicle on school property in Overton, Texas.
According to Overton Police Chief Bryan Pool, 35-year-old Angel Brooke Rupkey was arrested Tuesday by U.S. Marshals in connection with the Saturday incident, which left a 13-year-old girl hospitalized with serious injuries.
Rupkey has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and remains in custody at the Smith County Jail on a $150,000 bond, according to a police news release.
Authorities say the chain of events began when the young teen was “accidentally struck” by a vehicle on property belonging to Overton Independent School District.
According to a statement from the Overton Police Department, the child became trapped beneath the vehicle, prompting several adults at the scene to attempt to extract her without calling 911. When those efforts failed, police allege Rupkey took matters into her own hands, got behind the wheel, and “intentionally drove over her a second time” in a misguided effort to free the girl.
“This tragic and reckless decision caused further injury to the victim and should have never occurred,” Pool told the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
Emergency crews from Christus EMS and the Overton Fire Department eventually arrived at the scene and provided care to the injured girl, who was airlifted to a hospital.
As of Tuesday, the child remained in stable condition, according to KLTV.
Authorities confirmed that neither the child nor any of the adults involved are residents of Overton or affiliated with Overton ISD. Rupkey was arraigned Wednesday, according to KLTV.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police: Woman Intentionally Drove Over Child Pinned Under Vehicle in Attempt to Dislodge Her
Authorities say the teen was first hit by a vehicle, then seriously injured when a second attempt to free her went horribly wrong.
By Jacob Charles
Published: October 3, 2025 8:00 am ET
Angel Rupkey (via Overton Police Department)
OVERTON, TX — A Texas woman is facing a felony charge after what police are calling a “tragic and reckless” attempt to free a child who had been struck and pinned under a vehicle on school property in Overton, Texas.
According to Overton Police Chief Bryan Pool, 35-year-old Angel Brooke Rupkey was arrested Tuesday by U.S. Marshals in connection with the Saturday incident, which left a 13-year-old girl hospitalized with serious injuries.
Rupkey has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and remains in custody at the Smith County Jail on a $150,000 bond, according to a police news release.
Authorities say the chain of events began when the young teen was “accidentally struck” by a vehicle on property belonging to Overton Independent School District.
According to a statement from the Overton Police Department, the child became trapped beneath the vehicle, prompting several adults at the scene to attempt to extract her without calling 911. When those efforts failed, police allege Rupkey took matters into her own hands, got behind the wheel, and “intentionally drove over her a second time” in a misguided effort to free the girl.
“This tragic and reckless decision caused further injury to the victim and should have never occurred,” Pool told the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
Emergency crews from Christus EMS and the Overton Fire Department eventually arrived at the scene and provided care to the injured girl, who was airlifted to a hospital.
As of Tuesday, the child remained in stable condition, according to KLTV.
Authorities confirmed that neither the child nor any of the adults involved are residents of Overton or affiliated with Overton ISD. Rupkey was arraigned Wednesday, according to KLTV.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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