Harris County deputy critically injured in crash

Deputy is being treated at Memorial Hermann Hospital

HOUSTON – A Harris County deputy was in critical condition Monday after a crash in northeast Harris County on his way to a call.

Investigators said the deputy was responding to a call with his lights and sirens on when he went through a red light and accidentally slammed into a white SUV on Beltway 8 at Crosby Freeway at 2:30 a.m.

"A white Suburban driving perpendicular to that intersection was going through the green light. Sgt. Dlouhy ended up hitting the white Suburban with the front end of his vehicle," said Christina Garza with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The force of the crash pushed the cruiser up a concrete embankment. A woman in the SUV was ejected.

The deputy, Sgt. Felix Dlouhy, was flown by an emergency helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital with several fractures and other injuries. He's listed in critical but stable condition. Sheriff Adrian Garcia told KPRC Local 2 that the deputy was with his family. Dlouy is expected to make a full recovery, according to doctors.

The woman's condition was not released.

Garcia said Dlouy was on the way to a stabbing call when he was hit.

"The unfortunate thing is that the call appeared to be unfounded, meaning that someone could have been placing a bogus call. We did get a return call by the same person and once again, it was unfounded. Here is another example of how our deputies are putting themselves in harm's way, risking their lives and we hope that it's not the case, but sometimes people play games," Garcia said.

When deputies respond to calls with lights and sirens and approach a red light, they are required to slow down and make sure the intersection is clear before driving through, officials said.

Dlouy has been with the Harris County Sheriff's Office since 1982. He's a supervisor.

Full Screen
1 / 12

.