LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Joe Baeza,

On February 13, 2010 at approximately 3 am a Laredo Police Department officer was involved in a car accident while assisting on another accident which had just occurred on the 7500 block of I-35.  The patrol unit was parked and had its emergency patrol lights on.  The Police unit was struck by a pickup truck with the officer still inside the patrol car.  The patrol car was severely damaged by the rear-end collision.  The truck wound up on its side as a result of the crash.  The truck was driven by 38 year old Juan Carlos Gomez.  The officer and Gomez were both taken to a local hospital in stable condition.  The officer was inside the patrol car at the time of the impact and was also wearing his seatbelt despite being parked.  A blood specimen was taken from Gomez and sent for toxicology testing as per procedure.  The police officer was also tested for any intoxicants as per city policy whenever anyone is involved a fleet accident.  The toxicology results recently returned indicating that Gomez had 0.19% blood alcohol level which is over double the legal limit of 0.08%.  Gomez was legally intoxicated and the LPD CRASH team, who is investigating the accident, got an arrest warrant for Gomez for DWI C/B.  This morning, Gomez, accompanied with his attorney, came to the Laredo Police Department headquarters to turn himself in to authorities as per the arrest warrant.  He was booked and transported to Webb County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond set by J.P. O. Martinez.  The case is still considered open.  Gomez is employed with the City of Laredo Fire Department.