A lights-and-sirens run through downtown Houston ended with an HPD patrol vehicle on its roof Saturday, but the officer behind the wheel and his K-9 partner are both expected to be OK. The officer was taken to a hospital, and the dog was transported for medical attention as a precaution, authorities said, as reported by KHOU.
The crash happened at the intersection of Smith Street and Pease Street when the officer, driving south on Smith to assist other officers, collided with a car heading west on Pease. The impact caused the patrol vehicle to roll over and land upside down. Two people in the other car were also taken to a hospital and are expected to be OK, according to KHOU.
The Houston Police Department said in a statement that "an officer and his police dog are recovering after a rollover crash" and noted that the police dog was evaluated as a precaution. The department added that the crash remains under investigation, per KHOU.
Investigation And Downtown Traffic
Houston police investigators are expected to review the crash scene, examine vehicle damage and check any available surveillance or body-camera footage to sort out exactly how the downtown collision unfolded. The incident is the latest high-profile HPD vehicle mishap this year, following a Greenspoint patrol smashup in January that also left an HPD cruiser badly damaged.
What's Next
Officials have not released the names of anyone involved or said whether any charges are expected, and the crash remains under active review. This story will be updated as HPD or other authorities release additional details.
