Arlington officer injured in cycling crash underwent surgeries, could face more, police say
.jpg "An Arlington officer seriously injured in a crash in Fort Worth on Friday in which a car struck him and three people as they rode bicycles was hospitalized Saturday and could face more surgeries, police said.")
The Arlington officer seriously injured on Friday morning when a car crashed into him and three members of his church as they rode bicycles remains hospitalized following a round of surgeries, a police spokesman said Saturday.
Alan Branch and the parishioners of Arlington’s Lake Church were cycling on the Dottie Lynn Parkway in Fort Worth when a car struck them from behind, police said. One of the riders, Steven Dennis Cannon, 57, of Arlington, was killed in the crash. The other two people suffered cuts and bruises.
Branch, an 11-year police veteran who’s part of the Crimes Against Children Unit, “underwent a few surgeries” on Friday that “went as expected according to family,” Lt. Christopher Cook told the Star-Telegram. He remains hospitalized with serious injuries, Cook said, and could need more surgeries.
Arlington shared news of the officer’s injury on Twitter and Facebook Friday morning, and hundreds of people commented with their well wishes and prayers.
But Branch was unable to have many visitors Saturday, Cook said.
“Due to COVID and hospital restrictions, only one family member can visit per day,” he said.
The driver who hit the group of cyclists stayed on the scene Friday and wasn’t believed to be under the influence of alcohol, according to Fort Worth police. He wasn’t facing any charges
Department spokesman Officer Jimmy Pollozani said in an email Saturday there was no update on the investigation.
Dispatchers received the first call around 6:30 a.m. reporting the crash on the Dottie Lynn Parkway bridge, which runs over West Division Street, police said. Responding officers were able to determine the driver had run into the four cyclists from behind.
Cannon was pronounced dead on the scene, police said. Branch, who was alert and conscious, was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital.
Arlington Police Deputy Chief Jeffy Petty told Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV on Friday, “We’re deeply saddened that he is having to go through this, and also that he lost a dear friend in the accident as well.”
Police shared a statement from Branch’s family thanking people for their support and noting “he has a long road to recovery.”
“Please continue to lift Alan up in your prayers,” the statement read.
