On February 13th, Corpus Christi Police Senior Officer Enrique Roman, 29, was seriously injured while he investigated a motor vehicle accident on the 5000 block of S. Padre Island Drive. Roman was standing near the passenger door of one of the wrecked cars parked on the side of the freeway, when he was struck by a stray wheel and tire that apparently became dislodged from a passing vehicle.  Roman was rushed by ambulance to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.  He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit, but expected to recuperate completely and eventually return to full duty.  The entire Corpus Christi Police Department family extends their best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery to Officer Roman.

Senior Officer Roman is a seven-year-veteran of the police department and was recently selected as a Field Training Officer. Roman had recently received a commendation for his work with the students of San Pedro Elementary in Robstown, Texas.

CCPD Traffic Investigators believe the tire came off a large construction type trailer, likely one with dual wheels on both sides.  Investigators believe the vehicle was entering the Everhart Road on-ramp when the wheel and tire broke loose, striking Officer Roman.  According to the Traffic Investigators, it is quite likely that the driver of the vehicle didn’t notice the missing wheel and tire until he/she reached his/her final destination.  The Traffic Investigators do not believe there was any criminal intent to avoid stopping and rendering aid, based on their preliminary investigation, but are asking the responsible driver to come forward so they can complete the crash investigation. Anyone with information regarding this accident is encouraged to call Traffic Investigator S. Leeton at 361-886-2689.

This accident, although extremely rare, underscores the danger Police Officers and Fire Fighters face on a daily basis while directing traffic or responding  to wrecks on our streets and highways.

The Texas Legislature recognized these dangers and as a result  approved the “move over” law which went into effect on September 1, 2003.  This law requires drivers to move over to the left away from the lane closest to the emergency vehicle.  If unable to do so, drivers should slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.  All police vehicles, ambulances, or fire vehicles are covered under this law.

The “move over” law was passed  to make it safer for Officers and Emergency Personnel to work accidents and enforce traffic laws on our roadways without the added concern of being struck down by passing motorists.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page,  60 Law Enforcement Officers died last year in vehicle related incidents, four  of which were struck by a vehicle and twelve killed by vehicular assault.  The roadways proved equally deadly for Texas Police Officers in 2011, with seven of the thirteen Officers killed in the line of duty as a result of motor vehicle related incidents.