‘A devastating loss:’ Arlington police officer killed in hit and run on I-20 identified
An Arlington police officer was killed on his way to work Thursday morning in a hit-and-run accident on Interstate 20 westbound in Dallas, officials said.
Officer Darrin McMichael was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, the Arlington Police Department said in a news release.
Around 6:30 a.m. the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department sent out an alert on social media that westbound I-20 was closed at the Saint Augustine exit due to a major accident.
Doug Sisk, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department, said a little after 6 a.m. a sport utility vehicle in the far left-hand lane reduced speed because of slow traffic ahead. McMichael’s motorcycle hit the SUV and the officer fell onto the left-hand shoulder of the road.
A dark-colored sedan ran over McMichael as he lay on the shoulder of the freeway and kept going, investigators said. Sisk said their main priority right now is to find that car and driver.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident. Officials are looking for a dark-colored Dodge or Chrysler car and asking that anyone who has dashcam video of the crash to contact Detective Chaney at 214-589-2323.
McMichael worked with the Arlington Police Department for 24 years and with the Motorcycle Unit for 13. He’d also worked as a patrol officer and a detective in Arlington’s north patrol district.
Arlington Police Chief Al Jones asked for prayers for McMichael’s wife, who is also employed with the Arlington Police Department, and his friends and colleagues. According to Jones, McMichael’s wife was traveling behind him on the way to work and witnessed the hit and run.
“Officer Darrin McMichael was a respected and beloved member of our APD family,” Jones said. “We are heartbroken and we are hurting. This is a devastating loss that will be felt for a long time.”
“Many in our community interacted with him riding his motorcycle and they grew to love him as we all did,” Jones said at a news conference Thursday afternoon at the Arlington Police Department headquarters.
McMichael’s death marks the ninth officer killed in the line of duty in the history of Arlington police since officers on their way to work are considered on-duty, according to Jones.
“The days and weeks ahead will be difficult but the men and women at the Arlington Police Department are very, very resilient and together we’ll get through this,” the chief said.
This story was originally published September 21, 2023 at 8:40 AM.
