An elderly man has been pronounced dead after he was involved in a crash with a police vehicle Saturday night.
Officers say the crash took place at the intersection of FM 1764 and FM 2004, just west of Interstate 45 in La Marque.
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According to officials, the Texas City officer, identified as Joseph Waggoner, was responding to assist a burglary in progress and was called to provide drone air support to search for four suspects who knocked over a fence when his unit and a Honda Fit collided. It is unknown if he had his lights or sirens going before the crash.
Officials said Waggoner got out of his vehicle and attempted to assist those in the Honda.
The driver and passenger in the Honda were taken by ambulance to area hospitals following the crash.
The driver, a man in his early 70s, later died in the emergency room at HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland Medical Center in Texas City. The passenger in the Honda was taken to the trauma center at UTMB Health John Sealy Hospital and has been listed in stable condition.
The 10-year TCPD officer was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries before being released, Texas City Assistant Police Chief Landis Cravens said.
“Our hearts are heavy and go out to his family,” Cravens said.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the crash.
Chief Joe Stanton said Waggoner is out on worker’s comp. When he is cleared medically, he will return to work but will not be driving a patrol vehicle until the investigation is complete and then determined based on outcome.