HOUSTON – Police released bodycam video Thursday of the Houston police officer who was forced to jump off a freeway ramp after he was hit by a suspected drunken driver.
Houston police Chief Art Acevedo also showed a video of injured Officer R. Carter, speaking from his bed during his recovery.
Carter and Herrera jumped off the freeway ramp 16 feet to the ground below.
Two Houston firefighters were credited with helping save the officers' lives after noticing the car speeding toward them.
Carter is wearing a back brace while he's at home, but he's in a lot of pain, according to his mother. He is expected to recover.
Bianca Chanelle Bennett, 25, the woman who police said caused the crash, was arrested and charged with intoxication assault.
"Drinking and driving is a selfish act," Carter's mother, Debra, said. "You have to stay off the roads when you're drinking."
VIDEO: Carter's mother speaks about son
“Before I knew it, there was a car right up on me. The headlights were facing right on me. I had less than a second to react to the situation.” Carter said.
Carter said he was knocked out after the fall. He came to and radioed in, then said a prayer.
"I could not feel my arms. I could not feel my legs," he said. “I know if I would have froze the car would have taken my life and I wouldn’t be here today.”
He injured his back, spine, tailbone, left leg (from the crash) and his ankles.
VIDEO: Officer Carter speaks about incident
Carter has been with HPD since 2010.
Herrera, who has been with HPD since 2013, also jumped, but held onto the railing and was able to let himself fall before rolling when he hit the ground.
Herrera suffered minor injuries and was treated and released from the hospital. He is back on duty, but "taking it easy," police said.
Houston police urged citizens not to drink and drive, and to use services like taxis, Uber, Lyft or use a designated driver.
"Studies have shown that every 10th vehicle is an impaired driver," Acevedo said. "We're going to start sending letters to the worst establishments ... to keep tabs on where people (drunken drivers) are coming from... and we're going to share that information with our partners at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission."
Acevedo said too many people are over-served, and too many bartenders and waitresses look the other way.
