Fort Worth officer falls from overpass ramp while helping stranded driver

FORT WORTH, Texas - A Fort Worth police officer was seriously hurt while trying to help a stranded driver.

It happened Saturday morning on westbound Loop 820 at the Interstate 35W split.

Police said the officer was setting up a flare line to redirect traffic when he noticed a vehicle coming straight for him.

"The officer was assisting another officer with a stalled vehicle," explained Fort Worth Police Officer Daniel Segura. "He was setting up what we call a flare light, meaning we have these really bright flares that we set up n the freeway, on the road to divert other vehicles."

Segura said fearing for his life, the officer made the split-second decision to jump over the retaining wall. He fell 40 to 50 feet to the ground below.

"Most of the surface below, and it's concrete. So it was a pretty hard fall. And we're just fortunate enough that he survived," Segura said.

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The other officer on the scene called for help. Paramedics rushed the injured officer to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

He's still in the hospital in critical but stable condition.

"He is recovering at the hospital, and hopefully we'll get to see him again soon," Segura said.

The officer's identity has not been released. He has been with the Fort Worth Police Department for several years.  

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Segura said the driver of the vehicle was arrested. Citing the ongoing investigation, he did not have additional details about the incident, including if the driver was impaired or any possible criminal charges.

As the officer recovers from his injuries, Segura is reminding drivers to be careful and pay attention.

"Any time you see emergency lights on the freeway, on the streets, please slow down. Look around because you don't know what's going on in front of you," he said.