A Fort Worth Police officer has died after being hit at the scene of an accident on Interstate 35W and Sycamore School Road Monday morning.
While working the accident Sergeant Billy Randolph was struck by a vehicle that drove through the accident scene at approximately 5:38 a.m.
Sgt. Randolph was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital where he died from his injuries, said FWPD.
“Sergent Randolph had been with the department for 30 years, I’ve been here 24 and I don’t know the department without him,” said Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes. “It’s going to be a hard day every day, from now on as we mourn the loss of one of our brothers.”
Officers lined the driveway and saluted as a police honor guard escorted Randolph’s body from JPS Hospital to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
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The accident occurred when a tractor-trailer was exiting southbound I-35W onto Sycamore School Road at about 2:30 a.m. and hit the guardrail. Then the vehicle caught fire and spilled fuel, which shut down the exit and service road, according to a report from the Fort Worth Police Department.
While working the scene, Sgt. Randolph was standing on the exit ramp from I-35W to Sycamore School Rd when a driver drove the wrong way up the exit ramp hitting Randolph, according to police.
During a press conference after the accident, relatives of Sgt. Randolph release details about his death.
“Today, we lost a good man. We lost Billy, a faithful husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and good friend to many of us,” said Robert Mitchell, a family representative.
Chief Noakes said the driver who struck Sgt. Randolph didn’t initially stop. About a quarter mile later, Noakes said the driver exited the Nissan Versa she was in and began to run. She was taken into custody.
The driver, now identified as 25-year-old De Aujalae Evans of Fort Worth, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter causing the death of a peace officer or firefighter. Evans remained behind bars. Her blood toxicology results should take a couple days, Noakes said.
“I don’t know how many times we have to say it, there is no excuse for drinking and driving.” said Noakes.
A temporary memorial for Randolph has been set up outside the Fort Worth Police Department’s South Patrol Division headquarters on Risinger Road.
A candlelight memorial is planned there on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
“That would’ve been Billy’s birthday,” said Noakes.
