TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — A Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) deputy that was injured in an icy crash while trying to assist an 18-wheeler driver Tuesday morning has been released from the hospital.
At 8:46 a.m., the deputy pulled over and got out of his vehicle to assist the driver of an 18-wheeler that had gone off the roadway and was disabled in the 3900 block of State Highway 130 northbound.
While assisting that driver, another 18-wheeler slid on the icy roadway. The deputy was hit by that truck and pinned beneath one of its tractor tires.
In a tweet from TCSO, the deputy has been released from the hospital.
Officials with the TCSO, Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS worked to extricate the deputy. At 9:36 a.m., he was freed and taken to a local hospital. As of just before 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, the deputy was in surgery.
"I want to offer my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who responded and assisted this deputy in his time of dire need. Both his biological and TCSO family are relieved and thankful that he’s alive," Sheriff Sally Hernandez said. "Please, please don’t drive on these icy roadways. It’s not worth your life or the lives of the first responders who are literally putting their personal safety on the line.”
On Wednesday, the TCSO said that the deputy's surgery went well and he is alert and talking with his family. He is expected to make a full recovery.
"His family asked TCSO to express their gratitude for the efforts of everyone who assisted with his rescue. They also extend their thanks for the incredible outpouring of support from numerous agencies and community members. We at TCSO wholeheartedly agree. We deeply appreciate the care and concern of our incredible Travis County community," the TCSO said in a statement.
The TCSO said it will not release the identity of the deputy.