Sheriff’s Office! Texas Deputy Fatally Struck by Cellphone-Distracted Driver at Crash Scene

DEBARYLIFE – Texas authorities have provided additional information regarding the Harris County deputy’s death in the line of duty after he was struck by a truck while investigating a collision earlier this week.

While examining a minor collision in the northbound lanes of Highway 99 at around 9:36 a.m. on Tuesday, Deputy Investigator John Coddou, 50, was struck by a man operating a Chevrolet Silverado 2500, which resulted in his death, according to a traffic report from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Before getting out to investigate, Coddou parked his patrol car on the left shoulder of the road, partially obstructing the first northbound lane with the right side of the vehicle.

According to the report, the car’s emergency lights were on.

After less than ten minutes, a white Silverado pulled up to the scene using the lane that Coddou’s car was obstructing. Despite not having his identity made public, the motorist was described in the report as a “known male.”

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As the motorist approached the scene, he was reportedly talking on his telephone hands-free and made a “faulty evasive action” to avoid colliding with Coddou’s car.

He entered Coddou’s area, which was the grassy center median separating the northbound and southbound lanes, by doing so.

The report stated that the deputy was hit by the truck’s front right section.

After being transported to Texas Medical Center’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, Coddou passed away there.

A procession was held in his honor on Thursday, and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated that the agency was “deeply saddened” by his passing. Coddou spent twenty years working for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, according to FOX 26 Houston.

The fatal collision is still being looked into by the Vehicular Crimes Division of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.