An off duty Balch Springs Police Officer died early Sunday when he crashed his motorcycle into a retaining wall in the Dallas Canyon.
The impact ejected Officer Matthew Garcia, 35, from his motorcycle from the Northbound entrance ramp of Cesar Chavez Boulevard. He landed 25 feet below on the shoulder of Interstate 30.
Dallas Police told NBCDFW, Garcia is a four year veteran of the Balch Springs force. His wife, Toni, was following the motorcycle and witnessed the tragedy. She is a police officer in Henderson County.
"Unfortunately the decease's spouse was behind him when this crash occurred," Dallas Police Sgt. Fred Katani said. "Naturally one would be horrified to witness her husband's tragic death in this manner."
Garcia was transported to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, where he died.
Neighbors of the Garcias were shocked by the wreck. "We'll be praying for them, and I hope that God is with them and their family," Cody Ross said. "You think about Christmas time and families getting together. And obviously, this will be a very tough Christmas for them."
