March 14--CARROLLTON, Texas -- A Carrollton police officer is recovering after being hit by a civilian driver. Carrollton police say a Lexus traveling southbound on Old Denton Road hit the officer's patrol car, which was heading east on Whitlock Lane. The driver's side door of the patrol car was hit and the officer had to be extricated by the Carrollton Fire Department.
The officer was working a special traffic enforcement program when the crash happened. According to Carrollton Police Lt. Doug Mitchell, the officer reported the accident himself just after it happened. "[He] called dispatch and requested an ambulance and a few minutes later a civilian was heard over the radio explaining that an officer had been struck and he needed an ambulance and gave the location," Mitchell said.
The officer was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Lexus was taken to Baylor Carrollton. "Neither persons' injuries are believed to be life-threatening," Mitchell said.
The injured officer reportedly told other officers he was not attempting to make a traffic stop when his patrol car was hit. A couple driving behind the officer told CW33 News the officer said he had his lights on, but the couple did not hear a siren. "We're still trying to figure all of that out. It's a little bit too early to confirm that; the investigation is ongoing," Mitchell said.
The intersection was expected to be closed for several hours while police gathered forensic evidence from the scene. There are no charges pending at this time. The investigation will have to be worked through to find that out," Mitchell said.
There are no traffic cameras at the intersection; the investigation will include finding out if dashcam video recorded the crash.
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