By Police1 Staff
HOUSTON — An officer is fighting for his life in the hospital after a suspected drunk driver struck him during a traffic stop.
Officer Nestor Garcia, 24, spotted a stolen vehicle Wednesday and followed it until backup arrived, investigators told Click2Houston.
Officers pulled over the suspect and blocked off an additional lane on the highway. When the LEOs got out of their patrol cars, another driver, 79-year-old Robert Zimmerman, drove through the scene, striking Garcia and dragging him a couple of feet. Garcia was transported to the hospital where he underwent surgery and is currently in critical condition.
https://twitter.com/ArtAcevedo/status/913013497977589765
Police Chief Art Acevedo said Zimmerman was driving 50 to 60 mph when he struck the officer.
“I don’t care if he’s intoxicated, not intoxicated. That’s reckless,” he told ABC 13. “That officer should not be in [the hospital] fighting for his life.”
Zimmerman is expected to be charged with intoxication assault of a peace officer. An investigation is ongoing.