TEMPLE, Texas — Just days after a Robinson Police officer was involved in a single vehicle crash in Lorena on Friday, the police department has said that the officer has been released from the hospital.
According to Robinson Police Assistant Chief Larry Adams, Patrol Sgt. William Hughes was on his way home early Friday morning after finishing his shift that day in the 1900 block of Bullhide Creek in Lorena, when he and his car fell head-first into a sinkhole.
The Waco Fire and Technical Rescue Team helped to safely get Hughes out of the vehicle. He was flown to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Temple around 7:15 a.m.
Earlier in the week, the county had actually made repairs to that very road, but the sinkhole re-emerged due to the road being washed out from heavy rains. Those conditions combined with the limited visibility at the time were factors in the crash.
While the heavy rainfall is much-needed for the Lone Star State ahead of the always-hot summer, the downpour has caused flooding and closures across many parts of Central Texas and the rest of the state. Multiple disaster declarations have even been issued in response to the rising water levels and damage to property and infrastructure.
"We are excited about the progress (Sgt. Hughes) has made and about his release from the hospital this morning," the Robinson Police Department said on Facebook Tuesday morning. "Sgt. Hughes and his family want to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received from the community, friends, and fellow first responders. This support has helped them through this difficult time."