All northbound lanes of Highway 67 in Dallas were temporarily closed Wednesday evening after a vehicle struck a Dallas Police Department patrol car, according to police and local traffic officials. The crash occurred while an officer was conducting a traffic stop on the highway between Red Bird Lane and Hampton Road. A separate vehicle collided with the parked patrol unit, causing visible damage to the body of the squad car, as shown in aerial footage of the scene. The officer involved was transported to a nearby hospital for a precautionary evaluation. The driver of the vehicle that struck the patrol car was also transported to a hospital; that driver's condition has not been released. Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said the department was relieved the officer did not appear to have suffered serious injuries, and thanked first responders and the community for their support during the response. The crash caused significant traffic backups, with delays reported as far back as Wheatland Road and wait times of up to 30 minutes at the height of the closure. Highway crews cleared the scene and reopened all northbound lanes shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred on Highway 67 northbound between the Red Bird Lane and Hampton Road exits, a heavily traveled corridor connecting southern Dallas County to downtown Dallas. This stretch of highway carries significant commuter traffic during evening rush hour, and shoulder-area incidents such as traffic stops can create hazardous conditions for both officers and passing motorists. Backups from the closure extended several miles south to Wheatland Road, illustrating how quickly incidents in this corridor can affect regional traffic flow. The area is served by standard Texas Department of Transportation traffic control infrastructure, including overhead signage and lane markings, though shoulder and breakdown-lane activity remains a recurring safety concern on this segment of highway. Drivers approaching active traffic stops or roadside incidents are required under Texas law to move over or slow down when safely possible.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Texas law, individuals injured in vehicle collisions may be entitled to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, depending on the facts established through investigation. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence standard, meaning a party found more than 50% responsible for an accident may be barred from recovery, while other parties may have their compensation reduced in proportion to their share of fault. Texas also maintains a "Move Over or Slow Down" law requiring drivers to use caution near stopped emergency and law enforcement vehicles. Claims arising from motor vehicle accidents in Texas are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the incident. Insurance considerations may involve the at-fault driver's liability coverage as well as any applicable municipal or governmental liability provisions. This information is general in nature and is not intended as legal advice; individuals affected by this incident should consult qualified legal counsel to understand their specific rights.

Related Resources

• Dallas Police Department – Non-Emergency Line: (214) 671-3000
• Dallas Fire-Rescue – Emergency Medical Services: 911
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) – Dallas District: Road conditions and traffic advisories
• SigAlert Traffic Monitoring: Real-time traffic and incident updates for the Dallas area
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Statewide crash reporting and safety information
• Texas Statutes – Transportation Code: Official state traffic laws and regulations
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Vehicle safety and crash data resources
• Crime Victims' Compensation Program (Office of the Texas Attorney General): Support services for accident and crime victims