HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Highway 249 was shut down in both directions after a State Trooper was hit by a suspected drunken driver early Friday morning, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said the trooper is in critical but stable condition after being rushed to a hospital.
"Hopeful for a very positive outcome," DPS Lt. Craig Cummings said during a press conference outside of the hospital when the trooper was being treated.
Cummings did not release the identity of the trooper or any background information on him.
"Keep the trooper and the doctor and medical staff in your thoughts," Cummings said.
This happened just before 2:30 a.m. heading south near Upland Willow Avenue.
DPS said the trooper was conducting a traffic stop when the suspect driver came along and hit the patrol vehicle, then the car pulled over, and then the trooper.
Here is the full update from DPS:
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the suspected drunken driver was caught after they tried to run away from the crash scene. Deputies didn’t take long to catch the suspect and take them into custody.
The driver faces several felony criminal charges, DPS said.
This is an ongoing joint investigation between DPS, the sheriff's office and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.