NAVARRO COUNTY, Texas — A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper is in the hospital with serious injuries Tuesday after he was struck by a vehicle earlier in the day in Navarro County.
According to Texas DPS, Trooper Curtis Putz was struck on I-45 near mile marker 220 around 8:45 a.m. while investigating a crash.
Putz was seriously injured and had to be taken to a Dallas-area hospital where he remains in serious condition, DPS said.
During a news conference with Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday in Austin, Texas DPS Director Steven C. McCraw said the driver of the vehicle was traveling too fast, slid on ice and struck the trooper.
McCraw stressed for folks to drive in extreme caution during this winter storm and if you can, stay home.
"The safest place to be... at home," McCraw said.
He said if you do have to drive and you get stranded, to remain in your vehicle for safety and call local authorities for help.