Officer Dragged by Car During Traffic Stop
A police officer with the Houston Police Department has been critically injured after having been dragged by a vehicle he had pulled over for a routine traffic stop.
According to an article that appeared on the Chron.com website, police officers observed a vehicle that had been reported stolen speeding on U.S. 59 near Greenbriar early Wednesday morning at approximately 2:00 a.m.
Officer Nestor Garcia. Garcia, who is a rookie cop with the Houston Police Department, pulled over the vehicle and walked around the side of his police cruiser, issuing commands to the suspect inside the suspect vehicle.
As he did so, however, a Toyota Highlander struck the 24-year-old officer. According to Police Chief, Art Acevedo, Garcia was dragged at speeds of between 50 to 60 mph and only narrowly missing other law enforcement officers.
While surgeons were operating on Garcia, Acevedo told reporters in a statement that was issued just outside Memorial Hermann that, “It is not a crash — this is a person that acted with an abandoned heart.”
Police currently have in custody, Robert Zimmerman, 79. Police have charged Zimmerman with intoxicated assault of a public servant. The charge came prior to tests being performed on Wednesday morning.
Doctors indicated that Garcia suffered from head trauma, a pelvic fracture as well as kidney and liver damage. Surgeons operated on Garcia for several hours. He later regained consciousness.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who is also a long-time family friend to the Garcia’s, indicated that the young officer is showing some signs of awareness and believes that Garcia’s survival after such an accident is a very good sign.
Garcia graduated from the Police Academy in August of last year. Garcia is well liked in the community and by his fellow officers.
We hope that Officer Garcia will make a full recovery from his injuries. In the meantime, however, the recovery process will likely take a long time and have some very high medical costs and recovery times attached. Of course, accidents can happen on the job at any time. A serious injury on the job, the ordeal can be an agonizing experience for you and for your family. Picking up the pieces again while you recover and the potential loss of income for time off the job can quickly add up. Workman’s compensation can offer at least a little relief, but it may not be enough to cover all of your expenses. That’s the time when having an experienced legal professional working for you is important.
If you live in the Houston area and you or a loved one has been hurt on the job or been in an accident, contact us today at the number on your screen or use our web contact form.