Harris found guilty of DUI charges for striking deputy

A woman will be sentenced on Oct. 24 after being found guilty of driving under the influence in a February 2021 accident that seriously injured a DeSoto County deputy. 

Katherine Harris of Memphis was found guilty on Wednesday. Harris was accused of driving a vehicle on eastbound I-269 near the Laughter Road exit that struck Deputy Austin Eldridge while he was changing a flat tire on a stranded vehicle. 

Injured deputy identified, woman charged in I-269 accident

Eldridge was assisting a driver by changing the tire when officials said Harris’ car struck Eldridge.

Harris was later arrested and charged with driving under the influence resulting in permanent injury.  

As a result, Eldridge suffered injuries to both legs and underwent treatment at Regional One Health in Memphis. One of his legs had to be amputated.

Harris faces up to 25 years in prison when sentenced on Oct. 24. She remains in the DeSoto County Adult Detention Center.