A Dallas police officer was hit and killed by a driver suspected of being drunk on Saturday morning while directing traffic to avoid a highway accident.
By 1:45 am, the Dallas officer was blocking traffic with his vehicle’s emergency lights after an accident on the North Central Expressway on Walnut Hill Lane.
A man driving a Kia Forte at high speed hit the policeman when he was outside his vehicle to direct traffic from a previous incident.
The officer was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. His identity was not released.
The police officer leaves behind a wife who is pregnant with her first child, police said. He was hired in March 2019.
“Our department is in mourning once again, but we are excited about the strength of his family,” Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said in a tweet. “Good luck my brother.”
Police said the driver of the vehicle that hit the policeman was intoxicated. Charges are pending.
Neither the driver nor his passenger was injured, police said.
Police said slippery and icy roads were not a factor in the accident.
The highway is closed as the police continue to investigate the incident.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a written statement that Dallas was mourning the loss of the officer.
“He died very young, but the measure of a life is not longevity, but what someone does with the time they have. And this officer has dedicated his time to serving our big city in an inherently dangerous job,” said Johnson. “We are forever indebted to him and heartbroken forever for this tragedy. I am praying today for his family, friends and colleagues. I know that our city will give them love and support as we seek justice.”