Royse City

Police Officer Struck, Injured by Vehicle on Highway in Royse City

Ofc. Michael Baley was treated and released Saturday

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Royse City Police are reminding drivers to slow down or change lanes after an officer was struck and injured by a vehicle Saturday morning.

Ofc. Michael Baley was helping a stranded motorist on the westbound side of Interstate 30 near Farm-to-Market Road 548 at about 9:55 a.m. when another driver lost control, left the highway, and struck him, Royse City police said.

Baley said he was walking to pick up a piece of tire in the way of the stranded driver when he was hit.

A driver in a white SUV lost control on the interstate and skidded toward Baley.

“I just wasn’t quite fast enough to get out of the way and I got hit,” he said.

The injured Army veteran tried to call for help using his radio, but he said the battery flew off in the crash.

The stranded motorists called 911.

“I remember laying there telling my mom, my aunt, and my mom’s best friend Glenda, 'I can’t come with you ladies, I’ve got stuff still to do on earth so y’all are going to have to wait,'” he said. “I laid there a few more moments thinking, 'Well, I have to start a new career,' because I believe my right leg was done. I thought it was shattered.”

But to the 48-year-old’s surprise, doctors at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas found no broken bones.

“I was like, 'Uh, are you sure? Because I’m pretty sure my right leg is in pieces,'” he laughed.

Baley has been an officer in Royse City since 2007.

He is on the mend and said he planned to return to the force as soon as possible.

“Overall, I’m feeling pretty good, especially to be breathing and alive,” he said.

Baley said his emergency lights were on.

He also remembers the driver who hit him was "emotional" on the scene of the crash.

While the cause of the crash has not been determined, police said "driver inattention" and speed were considered possible factors. The Texas Department of Public Safety is handling the investigation. No charges have been filed as of Tuesday.

Royse City police reminded motorists to either slow down or change lanes if they pass an emergency vehicle with its lights on.

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