A Texas state trooper is being treated in a Dallas hospital after being seriously injured on Tuesday when he was struck by a vehicle.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in the North Texas region tweeted on January 31 that Trooper Curtis Putz was struck by a motorist while investigating another collision on I-45 in Navarro County.
The department reported that the trooper was seriously injured and transported to a Dallas hospital, where he remains in serious condition.
The identity of the driver that struck the officer, the type of vehicle, and the extent of the officer’s injuries are currently unknown.
At the time of the incident, North Texas was under a Winter Storm Warning, with sleet and freezing rain contributing to deteriorating road conditions. However, the DPS did not state whether the road conditions were a factor in the collision that injured Officer Putz.
A GoFundMe was set up after the incident to support the officer and his family. Putz is married and has three young children. The funding initiative has raised over $22,000 as of the time of publication.
Deniese McGowan, the organizer of the fundraiser, said in a post that Putz has undergone surgery and remains in the ICU in “critical but stable condition.”
“He still has more procedures to come and LOTS of healing to do!!! This is going to be a very long road of recovery,” said McGowan.
“Heidi and I are praying for Texas DPS trooper Curtis Putz after he was struck while he was investigating a crash,” said Senator Ted Cruz in a tweet on February 1. “May the Lord’s tender hand heal him and also bring comfort to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time,” he continued.