Two Forney Officers Escape Injury After Driver Strikes Police Units on U.S. 80 Near Windmill Farms Exit in Kaufman County, Texas
Forney police units hit in crash on U.S. 80, marking 5 wrecks in one week
Forney Police say two of its officers are lucky to have walked away uninjured after a driver plowed into their units early Thursday morning while they were helping block traffic after a crash along U.S. 80 in Kaufman County.
In the early morning hours of Thursday, two Forney Police officers narrowly escaped injury when a driver struck their patrol units along U.S. Highway 80 in Kaufman County. The secondary collision occurred at approximately 12:55 a.m. near the Windmill Farms exit, where officers had been stationed to assist with traffic control following an initial crash that took place in the eastbound lanes at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday evening. Both officers were standing outside their vehicles directing traffic at the time of impact. The vehicle involved in the second crash was identified as a rideshare vehicle. The passenger of that vehicle was airlifted to a hospital due to the severity of their injuries, while the driver was transported by ambulance to a nearby medical facility. Forney Police Chief Carrie White confirmed that both officers were unharmed, expressing the emotional weight of the incident and the relief that her officers were standing to the side of the roadway when the collision occurred.
Location and Infrastructure
The crash site is located along U.S. Highway 80, a major east-west corridor in Kaufman County that serves as a primary artery connecting the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex to communities further east. The Windmill Farms exit area has recently drawn significant attention: NBC 5 reported that three separate crashes occurred at or near this same stretch of highway within a single week prior to this incident, suggesting a pattern of safety concerns at this location. While this segment of U.S. 80 falls outside the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Forney, local leaders and Chief White have initiated communications with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to explore possible infrastructure or safety improvements. The combination of high-speed traffic, nighttime conditions, and ongoing crash history makes this corridor a notable area of concern for motorists and emergency responders alike.
Legal Rights and Considerations
Individuals injured in crashes on Texas highways — including passengers of rideshare vehicles — may have legal rights under Texas personal injury law and the Texas Transportation Code. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, meaning injured parties may seek compensation as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. Rideshare passengers are generally covered under the transportation network company's liability insurance during active trips, which in Texas is required to provide at least $1 million in coverage per incident under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1954. Those injured may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation costs. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003, meaning legal action must generally be initiated within two years of the date of injury. Consulting with a licensed Texas attorney is advisable to understand how these laws apply to specific circumstances.
Related Resources
- Kaufman County Emergency Services: Kaufman County Sheriff's Office — (972) 932-4338
- Forney Police Department: (972) 564-7373
- Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) — Dallas District: https://www.txdot.gov/district/dallas.html
- TxDOT Report a Road Hazard / Crash: https://www.txdot.gov/about/contact-us.html
- Texas Department of Insurance — Understanding Auto/Rideshare Coverage: https://www.tdi.texas.gov
- Texas Transportation Code (Statutes): https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm
- Crash Records & Reports — Texas DPS: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/obtain-copy-crash-report
- Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Program (for eligible victims): https://gov.texas.gov/organization/cjd/crimevictims
- Kaufman County Hospital District / Local EMS: Contact local dispatch via 911 for emergencies
What you need to know after a serious Forney car accident
When someone has been seriously injured in a car crash in Forney, they must deal with medical bills and lost wages.
After a serious car collision, it is crucial to quickly get the information needed to make good decisions. Getting appropriate medical treatment is just one aspect of recovering. Getting help in handling the personal injury insurance claim that will begin financial recovery is another.
If the injuries are serious, it is best to contact an experienced Mullen & Mullen lawyer for a free, no-obligation consultation. Serious injury accident claims are hard to handle without the help of a good lawyer who understands the process. Learn more about how an experienced Mullen and Mullen Law Office attorney can help.
Spinal cord injuries are not uncommon following many kinds of accidents. A person will usually require intense medical care to recover from them, and many can’t return to the work they did before the injury. When an accident causes this serious type of harm, the victim can bring a personal injury claim against any party responsible for it. A good Mullen and Mullen attorney can help by handling the insurance claim after a serious car crash.