WFCN –
A month after a police officer in Missouri City fatally struck a teen and his mother, the force is currently embroiled in a lawsuit.
The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that 27-year-old Blademir Viveros was driving without his emergency lights when the tragic accident occurred.
Angela Stewart, 53, a counselor for the Houston Independent School District, and her son Mason, 16, were killed when a police car from Missouri City collided with their vehicle on June 20. The incident occurred after an officer had received a report of a robbery in progress.
The 1600 block of Cartwright Road was the scene of an alleged speeding incident involving Viveros.
As the officer was making his way eastbound in the 16-1700 block of Cartwright Road, in response to an ATM heist, the Stewarts emerged from a Dollar Tree parking lot.
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At that moment, the officer allegedly T-boned their car, according to the police.
According to a press release issued Thursday by the Missouri City PD, the Stewarts were not yielding to the right of way when their vehicle was struck.
According to ABC13‘s reporting, authorities discovered a body in the rear of the police vehicle several hours following the collision.
The 53-year-old Michael Hawkins was found in the cruiser’s rear seat.
His caregiver informed ABC13 that he was acting strangely that evening, so she dialed 911; as a result, he was sitting in the rear of the cruiser when it crashed.
It took the police a long time to figure out that Hawkins was in the rear of the patrol car, and they still don’t know why he was there. It is against department policy for officers to respond to calls when they already have a suspect in custody, so last week the police stated they are still trying to figure out why he was in the cruiser.
According to the court records, he is expected to remain in the hospital for “the foreseeable future.”
The lawsuit asserts that Viveros endangered Hawkins through his failure to activate his lights and sirens, excessive driving, and other actions. Further allegations include a lack of adequate training and supervision by the Missouri City police.
Hawkins is reportedly still receiving treatment at Ben Taub Hospital after being transported there by the police. Hawkins is paralyzed below the waist and is currently on life support, according to ABC13, who spoke with his friends.
As the footage reveals, emergency personnel rushed to his aid, urgently removing him from the vehicle.
The officer has served for slightly less than a year, according to the Missouri City police. He brought over two years of experience to Missouri City from his previous agency.
Consequently, Viveros is no longer required to do his job while the inquiry is ongoing.
According to authorities, the police officer from Missouri City was responding to a robbery report when he T-boned a mother and son’s car. The officer was driving without emergency lights on.