A Fort Worth police officer died Monday after being hit at the scene of a fiery crash on Interstate 35W and Sycamore School Road.
While working a crash, 56-year-old Sgt. Billy Randolph was struck by a driver who drove through the crash scene at about 5:38 a.m. Randolph was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, where he died from his injuries, said Fort Worth police.
"Sgt. Randolph had been with the department for 30 years. I've been here 24, and I don't know the department without him," said Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes. "It's going to be a hard day, every day, from now on as we mourn the loss of one of our brothers."
Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning. >Sign up for NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.
Officers lined the driveway and saluted as a police honor guard escorted Randolph's body from JPS Hospital to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office.
The accident occurred when a tractor-trailer exited southbound I-35W onto Sycamore School Road at about 2:30 a.m. and hit the guardrail. The tractor caught fire and spilled fuel, which shut down the exit and service road, according to a report from the Fort Worth Police Department.
While working the scene, Randolph was standing on the freeway's exit ramp when a driver drove the wrong way up the ramp and fatally struck Randolph, according to police.
During a press conference after the crash, Randolph's relatives shared details about his death.
"Today, we lost a good man. We lost Billy, a faithful husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and good friend to many of us," said Robert Mitchell, a family representative.
Noakes said the driver who struck Randolph didn't initially stop. About a quarter-mile later, Noakes said the driver exited the Nissan Versa she was in and began to run. She was taken into custody.
The driver, now identified as 25-year-old DeAujalae Evans of Fort Worth, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter, causing the death of a peace officer or firefighter. Evans remained behind bars. Her blood toxicology results should take a couple of days, Noakes said.
"I don't know how many times we have to say it. There is no excuse for drinking and driving," said Noakes.
A temporary memorial for Randolph has been set up outside the Fort Worth Police Department's South Patrol Division headquarters on Risinger Road.
A candlelight memorial is planned there on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
"That would’ve been Billy's birthday," said Noakes.
The investigation is ongoing, please check back and refresh for updates.
