Officer Safe - Vehicle Hit by Alleged Intoxicated Driver on I-30

We are very pleased to report the Officer in the vehicle is going to be fine, the vehicle, not so much. An early-morning incident left a local Texarkana Texas Police Officer with minor injuries after an alleged intoxicated driver crashed into his patrol vehicle on westbound I-30.

TTPD Officer Kevin Buck was on the scene responding to an earlier accident involving an 18-wheeler on I-30 westbound at the loop when his vehicle was struck.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) had blocked all lanes following a rollover crash further up the highway. Officer Buck had positioned his patrol car across the road to divert traffic away from the scene. While inside his vehicle, 30-year-old Matthew Patterson reportedly ignored flashing lights and traffic warnings, colliding into the side of Officer Buck’s unit.

Bi-State Justice Building Texarkana - Google Maps

Following the impact, Officer Buck was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and later released.

Patterson was arrested at the scene on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated and taken to the Bi-State Jail.

Authorities would like to remind us of the dangers of drinking and driving, and the serious risks involved. This situation could have been much worse.