Two traffic officers in Grand Prairie, Texas had close calls last week in incidents that could have taken their lives.
On Thursday, an officer was struck by his own cruiser during a traffic stop on Interstate 30 when an SUV rear-ended the vehicle while he was standing outside. The patrol car slammed into the officer.
Officials said a passerby on a motorcycle stopped to help the officer by taking off his bandana and wrapping the officer’s arm in it, stopping the bleeding.
The officer was transported to a hospital where he was later released with some cuts, bumps and bruises. The driver who was initially stopped was also taken to a hospital and is expected to recover.
On Friday, another officer was driving north on Highway 161 shortly before 9 a.m. when a tractor-trailer ran a red light at Pioneer Parkway and collided with his cruiser.
The officer suffered minor injuries and was expected to return to work Wednesday.
"We never thought to have two back-to-back fleet accidents where the results could have been fatal for the officers," the department wrote on its Facebook page. "However -- by a pure miracle -- the officers in both instances walked away with minor injuries."
