DPD Officers Injured In I-35E Crash, Highway Closed
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Two motorcycle officers with the Dallas Police Department have been injured in a crash south of downtown on Interstate-35E/R. L. Thornton Freeway.
Dallas police officials have confirmed that two officers were injured while traveling on the northbound side of the highway. Police have not detailed how the two were hurt or given any information on the extent of their injuries, but CBS 11 News has identified the officers as W. Nichols and M. Keating.
According to sources, the officers were traveling near Clarendon when Officer Nichols motorcycle was struck by the female driver of a car, who swerved out of her lane. The impact forced Officer Nichols motorcycle into Officer Keating's bike. The driver of the car was reportedly trying to avoid hitting another vehicle.
At least three ambulances were called to the scene. The first ambulance loaded one officer into the emergency vehicle -- strapped to a gurney. Another officer was seen standing and physically moving around, before being placed in a neck brace and onto a gurney.
Video from Chopper 11 showed one motorcycle on its side in the middle of the highway and a red car 4-door vehicle on the highway shoulder, facing the wrong direction. Aerial video showed members of Dallas Fire Rescue removing a woman from that vehicle. The individual in the red car was also taken to a local hospital.
Police completely shutdown the R. L. Thornton Freeway, in both directions between Zang and Illinois, for hours.
CBS 11 News has crews in the air and on the ground and will have more information as it becomes available.
