AUSTIN, Texas — A Mustang Ridge police officer is recovering after he was struck by a vehicle on North Interstate 35 in Austin on Thursday.
The Austin Police Department confirmed that officers were working a collision in the 1800 block of the northbound service road on North Interstate 35. APD said a Mustang Ridge police officer was struck by a vehicle and taken to a hospital. Officials said the driver was cooperative and remained on scene.
Mustang Ridge PD Chief Leonard Cantu later confirmed to KVUE that Officer Jason Payne was working a funeral procession when a reckless driver struck a vehicle that was part of the procession and then struck Payne.
Mustang Ridge officer hurt while working funeral procession
Cantu said Payne sustained a compound fracture to his upper right leg. He underwent surgery for that injury on Thursday afternoon.
On Thursday evening, KVUE learned from Cantu that Payne got out of surgery at about 4 p.m. and had a rod placed in his upper right leg for a broken femur. Payne was set to have surgery again on Friday for his broken hand, wrist, fingers, arm and elbow, Cantu said.
The officer was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but suffered a concussion as well, the police chief said.
Cantu told KVUE's Jenni Lee the officer is "in good spirits," and said, "thank you for your thoughts and prayers."
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