Deputy Narrowly Missed By Semi Who Didn’t Slow For Emergency Lights
All drivers must follow certain rules when they see flashing emergency lights. If officers and paramedics are working at a scene, drivers are supposed to pull one lane away if they can. If they cannot, then they must slow down.
A deputy narrowly escaped getting hit by a semi that ignored these rules according to ABC 13. Video shows the deputy approaching a wrecked vehicle followed by a semi that passed him on the left by just inches. The semi crashed into the guardrail and rested against the wrecked car.
The incident happened on Highway 59 northbound near Highway 71. Thankfully, no one was injured in the crash. However, there have been a number of crashes this year where police were injured due to vehicles breaking the law. One happened in Houston when a driver ran a stop sign. In another crash, five deputy constables were injured when a driver hit their cruiser on the Eastex Freeway and caused a chain reaction crash.
If there are emergency lights flashing and you’re approaching the scene, the rule is simple. Get out of the way if you can! You don’t know when a door might open or someone might step out from around a vehicle into your path. If you can’t move out of the way, slowing down gives you more time to bring your vehicle to a stop.
