HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A Houston police officer was hospitalized after being struck by an AT&T vehicle on the IH-610 South Loop feeder road on Wednesday, according to the department.
The Houston Police Department informed that the officer was part of a traffic initiative targeting speeders in the area.
At approximately 2:15 p.m., the officer was running radar near the South Loop and Timberside Drive when he stepped into a moving lane of traffic on the service road. The officer attempted to wave down an AT&T truck driver who was allegedly speeding and was hit by the vehicle.
“(The officer) was standing in the traffic lane at the time. That’s a common practice where officers who are running a laser, or radar, by stepping out in traffic instead of pulling the driver over,” said HPD Commander Trey Coleman of the vehicular crimes division.
When asked if it was standard practice for officers to stand in a lane of traffic rather than on the grass or sidewalk, Coleman responded, “They can. They will usually do that because if you stand to the side and you’re out of the way, you’re usually kind of hidden. So if you stay back there, they’re never going to see you.”
The officer was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition, though he has sustained injuries, according to HPD.
Eyewitness News reported that the windshield of the AT&T truck was shattered.
When asked if the driver would be ticketed despite the officer not being in a crosswalk, Coleman explained, “Well, the difference between you as a pedestrian and an officer in full gear working an assignment like that, he’s kind of authorized personnel to be able to do those kinds of things.”
It is unclear if the driver will face any citations. He remained on the scene.
AT&T issued a statement saying, “Our thoughts and best wishes are with the officer involved in this accident. We expect our employees to follow traffic laws and will investigate to determine what happened here. We’ll be cooperating with the police in this matter. As this is an active investigation, we would refer you to law enforcement for any further information at this time.”
