An El Paso police officer was killed Wednesday and another police officer injured after an alleged drunk driver rammed the patrol car they were riding in.
The 41-year-old policeman had been a member of the force for four years and his 39-year-old partner was injured. The car accident occurred about 1 AM when a 19-year-old man allegedly ran a red light and struck the officer's car.
The deceased police officer was the passenger and the injured officer was the driver when they were struck by a 2004 Mercedes. The Mercedes driver was also injured in the car crash and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Reports indicate that the 19-year-old driver of the Mercedes was arrested on suspicion of intoxicated manslaughter and intoxicated assault stemming from the car accident.
The injured officer had to be cut out of the patrol car by firefighters but fortunately they don't expect his injuries to be life-threatening.
The governor of Texas apparently gave the El Paso Police Department and the city of El Paso permission to fly their flags at half mast for the day.
Sources indicate that Texas leads the nation in officers killed in the line of duty and many of such fallen heroes are the victims of a drunk driver accident.
Greg Baumgartner is a Texas wrongful death attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping injury victims seek civil justice. For a free no obligation consultation with an 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Houston call the Baumgartner firm.
