Texas Deputy Killed, Police Chief In Critical Condition After Getting Struck By Car
RIESEL, Texas (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — A sheriff's deputy was killed and a small-town police chief was injured when a car struck them as they aided a motorist on a Central Texas roadside Friday.
Around 2 p.m. Oct. 11, on Texas 6 near Riesel, Texas — a city located about 20 miles southeast of Waco — the Texas Department of Public Safety reported Falls County Sheriff's Deputy Matt Jones and Riesel Police Chief Danny Krumnow were helping a motorist when another car hydroplaned on the rain-slick highway and slid into the officers.
DPS Sgt. Ryan Howard said Jones died at the scene of the crash, while Krumnow was airlifted to a Waco hospital in critical condition. The driver of the car involved was also taken to a hospital, but with minor injuries.
Falls County Sheriff Ricky Scaman has since released the following statement:
Earlier this afternoon, my K-9 Deputy… Deputy Matt Jones was assisting a motorist on Hwy 6 along with the Riesel Chief of Police, Danny Krumnow. As these officers do daily, they were serving our community and protecting the lives and property of citizens they may not have even known.
During the assist, a vehicle hydroplaned due to the wet road conditions and struck the officers. My K-9 Deputy Matt Jones, who has been with our office for 4 years was struck and killed in the collision. Chief Krumnow was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Deputy Jones K-9 partner, THOR was not injured during the incident. THOR is now in the care of the Jones family.Tragedy came to our county today and has taken the life of one of our brothers, K-9 Deputy Matt Jones. Mere words cannot express the loss we feel in our hearts. We have lost a brother, a friend, a husband, and a servant of our community. And with that, we mourn…
In addition, we send our thoughts and prayers to Chief Krumnow as he begins his healing process.
We thank our Law Enforcement community for their rapid response to assist us and the investigation into what happened is on-going. I will divert any questions about that investigation to the Texas Department of Public Safety. We will have additional information available at a later time about services for our friend and brother, Deputy Matt Jones.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)