ECTOR COUNTY, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety has released more information and a health status of the state trooper involved in a Tuesday morning crash along State Highway 302 in Ector County. The crash happened at mile marker 246.
First responders initially arrived to SH 302, east of Notrees, around 6:30 a.m. to assist in a separate crash. The crash occurred at the intersection of SH 302 and Marian Dr.
According to Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., "[Ector County] Deputy Justin Toombs had angled his unit, with emergency lights activated, to divert traffic to the inside lane. A westbound Cadillac struck Deputy Toombs' unit, and a (DPS)Trooper was injured. Deputy Toombs, a Trooper, and driver of the Cadillac were all transported by ambulance to MCH (Medical Center Hospital) ER."
DPS stated in the release that the state trooper was outside of the vehicle when he was hit by the Cadillac.
Sheriff Griffis told NewsWest 9 that Deputy Toombs is in stable condition.
According to DPS, after the state trooper was taken to MCH, he was airlifted to a Lubbock-area hospital where he is in serious but stable condition.
In all, the DPS trooper, ECSO Deputy Toombs and a civilian were injured in the crash.
The investigation is ongoing.