Off-duty HPD officer in critical condition after crash with train in north Houston, authorities say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston police officer is fighting for his life after his personal vehicle was hit by an oncoming train in north Houston, another officer at the scene confirmed to ABC13 Wednesday morning.

The injured officer has been identified as 42-year-old Vidal Lopez, who has been with the department just short of 20 years, HPD Chief Troy Finner said.

The crash happened just before 7 a.m. in the 6700 block of Fulton Street at Bennington Street. The department tweeted that the officer, who was off-duty at the time, was on his way to work.

According to information received from a different officer at the scene, Lopez tried to avoid the train by going around the railroad arms but was hit.

He suffered an apparent heart attack and is at Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition.

A photo from the scene showed the injured officer's vehicle flipped over onto its side.

Outside of the hospital, Finner said that he still needed to be briefed on the investigation and could not elaborate on the earlier details that were given.

Finner said that Lopez crossed the tracks at some point.

"Please pray for him," the chief told reporters gathered in the Texas Medical Center, adding that Lopez is married and expecting a child.

Lopez was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Finner also couldn't provide further detail on the extent of Lopez's injuries, but said that he went into surgery, doctors are running multiple tests and that he's in critical condition.

His family has been notified.

Lopez is assigned to technology services within the department.

For news updates, follow Charly Edsitty on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.