Texas DPS trooper in critical condition after vehicle strikes him on tollway

In the early hours of Monday, December 16, 2024, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was critically injured on the Dallas North Tollway. The incident occurred in the northbound lanes at Keller Springs Road at approximately 12:40 a.m., while the trooper was responding to a previous single-vehicle crash. The accident involved a yellow Mini Cooper that, after colliding with a wall, struck the trooper and a bystander who was assisting him. Fortunately, the driver of the Mini Cooper was reported to be in good condition and was discharged from the hospital later the same morning. The initial single-vehicle crash involved a Toyota Camry, which was later determined to be related to the ongoing emergency situation. According to Tony De La Cerda, a Texas DPS sergeant, the driver of the Toyota Camry sustained no injuries during the incident. Following the crash involving the Mini Cooper, both the trooper and the bystander were transported to Plano Presbyterian Hospital for treatment. As of 7 a.m. on the same day, the trooper remained in critical but stable condition. The Dallas North Tollway's northbound lanes were closed during the morning rush hour as authorities conducted investigations into the events surrounding the crash. A fire truck had been blocking two lanes at the site of the initial single-vehicle incident when the Mini Cooper attempted to pass, leading to the subsequent collision with the DPS trooper. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether the driver of the Mini Cooper will face charges. The Texas DPS is still awaiting more information regarding the status of the security officer who was struck, though he was also released from the hospital that morning. This incident raised significant concerns regarding the safety of law enforcement personnel during emergency responses. As passersby often attempt to lend assistance, it highlights the risks involved in such situations on busy roadways. The highway was reopened following the investigations, but not without drawing attention to the perils that emergency responders face every day on the job. Further clarifications regarding the investigation are anticipated from Texas DPS in the coming days, as the community and law enforcement seek to understand the full scope of the events that transpired.