The accidents happened just blocks away from each other. Investigators said both officers were on motorcycles, ahead of the processions while working off-duty.
The first crash happened around 1:30pm near North Victory and Lawn. Houston police said a female driver failed to yield the right-of-way when she struck the Metro police officer on a motorcycle who was working a funeral procession. The officer was taken to Memorial-Hermann hospital where his condition is unknown at this time. His injuries are not life-threatening.
About two hours later, the second crash occurred at West Montgomery and Ellington. Police said a 33-year-old driver of a Buick attempted to cut through a funeral procession when he struck a sheriff's deputy on a motorcycle.
The deputy was identified as Terence Leonard, 40. He was thrown from the bike and landed on top of the Buick. He was flown to Memorial-Hermann hospital by Life-Flight. We are told he has two broken arms, head trauma, and one broken leg but he is expected to live.
A witness described the scene "His (Buick driver's) eyes looked like they were closed and he couldn't really move," said Danielle Douglas. "He (police officer) was on the ground and they put him on a stretcher. He looked like he was in critical condition. I was shocked. Very, very shocked."
Seargent Lee Lefler of the Houston Police Department said, "It was just one of those days. You encounter the first (crash) and you think this was very unfortunate. But to have two in the same day, it's indescribable really."
We are told both drivers have also been taken to the hospital. No word yet on their conditions. It's also unclear if any charges will be filed.
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