A deputy is in critical condition and five other people were taken to hospitals after a traffic crash Tuesday morning on the North Sam Houston Parkway in northeast Harris County.
The crash forced officials to temporarily shut down the westbound toll road.
The wreck occurred about 7:50 a.m. on Beltway 8 near Wilson Road, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The deputy had a K-9 in his squad car.
Deputy Jason Denham, a 10-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was flown by LifeFlight medical helicopter to Memorial Hermann-The Texas Medical Center, officials said.
Sheriff Adrian Garcia said Denham has trauma to the left side of his body.
"His condition is critical," Garcia said. "But doctors are hopeful for his recovery."
Garica said two of the other people who were hurt were taken to Memorial Hermann-The Texas Medical Center. They were treated for minor injuries and released. The other three injured people were taken to another area hospital. Their conditions were unknown.
The dog, a male Belgian Malinois named Sjors, appeared to be unhurt, Garica said. He was taken to veterinarian in Pasadena.
Garcia said the cause of the crash is still being investigated. Denham was coming over a rise in the tollway when he had to take evasive maneuvers to avoid traffic, Garcia added. At least one other vehicle was involved in the crash.
Denham, married and the father of three, was on his way to a training session when the wreck occurred.
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McClatchy-Tribune News Service
