Houston police have released graphic bodycam video showing an officer falling 16 feet from an overpass after being struck by a suspected drunk driver last month.
Police said the July 28 crash happened on an exit ramp from U.S. 59 at about 2 a.m. when a vehicle struck a patrol car, which was pushed into one of the officers. The officer was thrown over the barrier and fell to the access road below.
That officer, identified as R. Carter, was transported to Memorial Hermann with injuries to his back, spine, tailbone, left leg and his ankles, KPRC reported. The injuries were not life threatening.
"He's in a neck brace," Houston Police Department Sgt. Thomas Fendia said. "Firefighters luckily were on scene. They were able to render first aid immediately."
A second officer was also transported as a precaution.
Police said the woman who struck the patrol car and officer smelled of alcohol and is believed to have been driving while intoxicated.
"We are conducting a DWI investigation on her at this time," Fendia said.
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Houston police chief Art Acevedo released bodycam footage of the incident in a Thursday news conference. He also showed a video of injured officer Carter speaking from his bed during his recovery.
Carter wears a back brace at home, but he's in a lot of pain, his mother told KPRC.
