UPDATE: Tuesday, April 22 - 5:30pm
New details have emerged regarding the arrest of Mathis High School softball coach Briana Cruz in connection with an altercation during last Tuesday's Taft vs Mathis high school softball game. Late Tuesday afternoon, KRIS 6 learned her mother, Beverly DeLeon, 47, was also arrested in connection with a second fight that broke out in the stands.
According to the affidavit, the incident began after a dispute between players on the field. The affidavit states that the mother of a Taft player was yelling at Cruz, accusing her of tackling her daughter.
"Coach Cruz's mother (Beverly DeLeon) then approached the REDACTED (Taft player's mother), shoved her and then began punching REDACTED in the head repeatedly," the affidavit said, citing Officer James Lill of the Taft ISD Police Department.
Coaches and bystanders intervened to stop the fight. "Taft High School Coach Tasha Wilson immediately got in the middle of the ladies and attempted to stop the fight," the affidavit noted.
The Taft mother later sought medical treatment for injuries sustained during the altercation. "REDACTED advised that she may have to have an MRI done due to her ankle being hurt in the altercation," the affidavit stated.
DeLeon faces a charge of assault causing bodily injury, a Class A misdemeanor under Texas Penal Code 22.01(a)(1).
Cruz faces the same charge.
According to Cruz' affidavit, it states it's a violation of U.I.L. rules for a coach to touch an opposing teams players in the event of a fight.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Mathis High School softball coach Briana Cruz was arrested following an altercation during a varsity softball game on April 15.
Cruz was charged with assault causing bodily injury.
According to San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera, Cruz turned herself in to the authorities on April 18 at 4:44 a.m. on a warrant that Taft Independent School District Police filed.
According to the arrest affidavit for Briana Cruz, the woman
Officials say Cruz posted a $3,500 bond on April 18 following her arrest.
The altercation occurred during the fifth inning of the UIL 3A Distict 29 championship game.
Following a play, a player from the Taft Greyhounds got into an altercation with a player from the Mathis Pirates.
During the altercation, Cruz grabbed the Taft player, before the two end up on the ground. However, a review of reactions on social media, some believe the coach tripped, while others feel it was deliberate.
Both school districts are investigating the incident.
