2 TX Officers Injured in Semi-Truck Crash That Crushed Patrol Vehicle
"Fortunately, they were both inside their vehicles, and their vehicles protected them," said Northlake Police Chief Robert Crawford. "If they’d been outside of the vehicles, I don’t think we’d have our officers here with us today."
Two Northlake, TX, police officers are recovering after being hospitalized because of a crash with an 18-wheeler.
The crash happened around 9 a.m. Thursday in Northlake. The officers were working a wreck on icy Highway 114 near Texas Motor Speedway when a big rig driver crashed into their two cruisers and a pickup truck. At one point, one officer was pinned in his vehicle, Fox 4 reports.
"Fortunately, they were both inside their vehicles, and their vehicles protected them," said Northlake Police Chief Robert Crawford. "If they’d been outside of the vehicles, I don’t think we’d have our officers here with us today."
Officer Thomas Martinez, 47, has been with Northlake PD for three years and 13 years overall in law enforcement. His vehicle was crushed beneath the semi, and he had to be pulled from the wreckage. He was admitted to the ICU for observation at Baylor Scott & White in Grapevine. Officer Matthew Koeper, 38, has been with the department for nine years. He was treated for minor injuries and released.
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