As most of Cleveland Fire Department and EMS were on the scene of the 18-wheeler crash Wednesday morning a call which any dispatcher hates to hear came in. that a Cleveland Officer had just been involved in a major accident on Dallas Street at William Barnett.
Several pieces of fire apparatus were able to leave the scene of the 18-wheeler to respond to the other accident. The first fire unit on the scene requested two ambulances. Montgomery County Hospital District responded as did Legacy EMS from San Jacinto County.
A Volkswagen Passat was driving north on William Barnett and was stopped for the stop sign. Officer Zack Harkness was westbound from FM 1010 on Dallas. The driver mistook a crosswalk sign for a stop sign and thinking the patrol unit was going to stop at the intersection he proceeded into the path of the patrol car. The driver, his wife and small child received minor injuries. Cleveland Fire Department had to remove the door of the vehicle to free a passenger. The officer also received minor injuries and was transported to Cleveland Regional Hospital.
The Cleveland Traffic Investigation Team had been en route to the 18-wheeler crash to assist DPS in measuring the scene electronically. But instead they were diverted to the fleet accident and after completing that scene responded to assist DPS.
