A Dallas police officer was hit and killed on Saturday morning by an alleged drunk driver, officials said.
The officer was blocking the scene of a previous North Central Expressway accident around 1:45 am, when he was hit by a man “driving at high speed,” according to a press release from the Dallas Police Department.
The policeman was standing outside his patrol vehicle, which had emergency lights on, the police said. He was taken to Baylor Hospital, where he died.
The department did not name the officer.
Chief Eddie Garcia announced his death in a tweet, saying the department was “once again in mourning”.
“But we are excited about the strength of your family. Good luck, my brother,” wrote Garcia.
In a second Twitter post, the chief shared a video of policemen queuing outside the hospital to show their respect.
“Tragic night for us. This is a small sign of respect and admiration for a fallen brother and his family,” he wrote. “Take it easy, hero. We’ll take care of it from here.”
Mayor Eric Johnson expressed his sympathy for the officer in a series of tweets.
“Dallas today regrets the devastating loss of one of our policemen. He died very young, but the measure of a life is not longevity, but what someone does with the time he has. And this officer has dedicated his time to serving our big city in an inherently dangerous job, “he said.
“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.”
The 32-year-old driver “was found drunk” at the time of the accident, police said. The driver and a passenger were not injured in the accident.
The man was taken into custody and the charges are pending. The woman was being questioned by the police. Their names were not released.
