Traffic stop lands deputies in hospital

HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) - Two Williamson County Sheriff's Office deputies were taken to a hospital after falling ill during a traffic stop when they breathed in something inside the suspect's vehicle.

Deputies arrested David Alexander Richardson, 29, of Austin, for possession of a controlled substance. He was pulled over for a traffic violation on State Highway 79.

The Williamson County Hazardous Materials Team was called to the scene in the parking lot of Walgreens at 119 Ed Schmidt Blvd. to investigate the car. Investigators found an unknown substance inside, officials said.

The deputies had respiratory problems and were transported by emergency medical services for treatment and released late Wednesday afternoon. Their injuries were not life-threatening.

On Thursday, WCSO announced that the substance found in the car was the narcotic commonly referred to as "bath salts." When deputies opened the bag the drug was stored in, the collected fumes were released and breathed in by the two men and caused breathing problems.

Williamson County public records show Richardson was arrested two previous times: once in March and a second time in May.