DECATUR, TX (1/26/2017) — Officer Matthew Roberts has been hospitalized after his patrol vehicle was struck by an intoxicated truck driver on Thursday night.
According to the Decatur Police Department, 35-year-old Officer Matthew Roberts was injured following an 18-wheeler-vs-car accident on U.S. 81/287 (near FM 51) in Decatur, Texas.
Decatur Police Chief Rex Hoskins reported that at around 11:30 p.m., the driver of an 18-wheeler veered off the roadway and collided with Roberts’ patrol vehicle (Chevrolet Tahoe), which was parked on the shoulder of the highway.
The impact caused the car to go airborne and land upside down, leaning against a utility pole. Officer Roberts was flown to John Peter Smith Hospital via air ambulance for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to Wise Regional Health System, and has been charged with driving while intoxicated.
An investigation is ongoing.
Commentary
The driver responsible for this incident has already been charged with one offense, but depending on the results of the investigation, he could face an intoxicated assault charge as well. We will provide updates on this matter as details are released. To those affected by this crash, we offer our condolences.
