Off-duty cop tracks down hit-and-run driver who struck Texas officer

The incident occurred as police were helping clear an unrelated wreck and a driver, trying to get around the crash, hit the officer and kept going

January 06, 2023 11:03 AM

An Arlington police officer investigating a traffic wreck was struck and seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver.

By Domingo Ramirez Jr.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

ARLINGTON, Texas — An Arlington police officer investigating a traffic wreck on Interstate 20 was struck and seriously injured Thursday morning by a hit-and-run driver, authorities said.

The driver was arrested a short time later by an off-duty Dublin police officer who saw what happened, immediately followed the driver, and pulled him over until Arlington police units could get there, according to Arlington police.

The Arlington officer, who was not publicly identified, was taken to an area hospital and his injuries are not life-threatening, Arlington police said.

“I’m incredibly thankful our officer is going to be okay,” Police Chief Al Jones said in a tweet “I’d also like to express my gratitude to the off-duty Dublin PD officer who helped us stop the driver that hit him.”

Police identified the suspect as 32-year-old Alfredo Guzman, who faces a charge of failure to stop and render aid in an accident with bodily injury. Guzman is from Forest Hill.

https://twitter.com/ArlingtonPD/status/1611036144635990017 https://twitter.com/ArlingtonPD/status/1611036147160866817

At around 6:35 a.m. Thursday, Arlington officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 near Matlock Road. No serious injuries were reported in the accident.

Initially, one eastbound lane remained open while police worked to investigate and clear the wreck.

Minutes later, a driver who was trying to get around the crash site hit an officer who was working the scene — which is what prompted all eastbound lanes to be shut down. The lanes have since been reopened.

Guzman did not stop and continue eastbound on the highway, police said. That’s when the off-duty Dublin police officer saw what happened and stopped the suspected hit-and-run driver.

“We’d like to remind drivers that if they see officers or other emergency workers responding to an incident on the roadway, they need to slow down,” Arlington police said in a Thursday news release. “Stay focused, and if possible, move over a lane so crews can safely work.”