An incident in East Houston has left a police officer with minor injuries after being hit by a vehicle during a traffic stop earlier today. According to Click2Houston, the officer conducted a traffic stop on a suspected stolen car around 1 a.m. near the intersection of Maxey Road and Wood Bayou Drive.
While detaining the driver, another vehicle, reportedly driven by a suspected drunk driver, approached and collided with the officer's patrol car. "While the officer was detaining the driver, he observed a vehicle approaching the shoulder and not slowing down. That vehicle struck the rear door of the officer’s patrol shop causing the officer to dive into the vehicle to avoid being hurt," said Sgt. Richards with the Houston Police Department, in a statement obtained by Click2Houston.
The KHOU report indicates that the collision occurred while the officer was attempting to evade the oncoming car, leading to the officer's leg being struck. Following the incident, the officer was transported to the hospital for the treatment of injuries described as minor.
The driver responsible for the collision was detained and is currently under investigation for impaired driving. The Houston Police Department provided in update at the scene, highlighting the dangers officers can face even during routine traffic stops. The investigation into the incident continues, with updates expected as new information becomes available, Houston Police Department says, reflecting the risk inherent in law enforcement duties, even those that appear mundane.
