An Austin police officer who was caught on body camera repeatedly texting his girlfriend while speeding to an emergency call before crashing into two vehicles — seriously injuring multiple people — has resigned from the department after reaching a plea agreement that spared him from more serious criminal charges.
Officer Daniel Kessler, a 15-year veteran of the Austin Police Department, pleaded guilty to two Class C speeding offenses connected to the January 2025 crash, paying a total of $1,000 in fines. The resolution came shortly before Kessler resigned from the force, ending a disciplinary process that had not yet concluded.
The plea deal has drawn criticism from the victims, who say they were unaware of the full extent of the body-camera footage until after prosecutors reached an agreement with Kessler.
Texting and Driving
Video obtained by the KVUE Defenders shows Kessler driving with his emergency lights and siren activated while responding to assist officers during a stolen vehicle stop…