A late-night traffic shutdown on U.S. Highway 80 in Forney turned violent yesterday when a rideshare vehicle plowed into two parked Forney Police Department units, critically injuring a passenger and mangling all three vehicles.
Officers had been on the scene diverting drivers away from an earlier multi-vehicle wreck when the rideshare car hit. The passenger was airlifted to a Dallas hospital in critical condition, while the driver was taken by ambulance for treatment. Two Forney officers, who were outside their patrol units at the time, escaped without injury.
According to CBS News Texas, the initial multi-vehicle collision occurred just before 11 p.m. Wednesday. Officers responded by positioning their patrol cars, with emergency lights flashing, to shut down the highway and push traffic onto the service road.
At about 12:55 a.m. yesterday, a rideshare driver carrying a passenger slammed into the two parked Forney police units. The impact caused major damage to both patrol cars and the rideshare vehicle, CBS News Texas reported.
The seriously injured passenger was flown to Methodist Medical Center in Dallas. The rideshare driver was transported by ground ambulance to Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas.
What Officials Said
In a news release, Forney police reminded drivers of the basics that too often get ignored when lights start flashing on the shoulder: slow down, move over, and actually follow the cones and cruisers.
“Slow down, move over, and take the path provided by the emergency crews,” the department said in a statement quoted by CBS News Texas.
Police said the crash remains under investigation. They did not immediately release the names of those involved or indicate whether any charges might be filed. Officers at the scene were reported to be uninjured.
Move Over Law and Penalties
Texas’ Move Over/Slow Down law requires drivers to vacate the lane closest to stopped emergency vehicles when possible, or drop their speed by 20 miles per hour below the posted limit if they cannot safely change lanes. The law covers police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks, as outlined by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
A legislative summary from the Texas Department of Transportation shows lawmakers have increased penalties for violations in recent sessions. When a driver’s failure to move over or slow down causes injury, the consequences can escalate to enhanced fines or misdemeanor charges.
What’s Next
Forney police said investigators will analyze the crash scene and review available evidence to determine what led up to the collision on U.S. 80.
Traffic along the highway was diverted while emergency crews worked the wreck, slowing the overnight flow for anyone trying to get through the area. Authorities urged drivers to obey move-over rules, heed traffic control at crash scenes and use alternate routes as needed while the investigation continues.
