Drunken Driver Slams Into Garland Police Officer
GARLAND (CBSDFW.COM) - A Garland police officer was seriously injured after a suspected drunken driver slammed into him while he stood outside his patrol car on the shoulder of George Bush Turnpike early Sunday morning.
Officer Jason Voelz placed a female prisoner in the back seat of his squad car on the shoulder of George Bush at Holford Road when officials said John Christopher Murphy, 23, swerved off the freeway and into the shoulder, rear ending the squad car and launching Voelz into the air.
The five-year veteran was flown to Parkland Hospital with serious injuries. Doctors have since stabilized him, though police said he will have to undergo surgery to repair "several" broken bones.
Murphy and the suspect were taken to Baylor Hospital of Garland with non-life threatening injuries.
Murphy has been charged with two counts of Intoxication Assault and has a $20,000 bond in the Dallas County Jail.
