Police Officer Ronnie Ray Lerma

Ronnie Ray Lerma

Officer Ronny Lerma was killed after being struck by a van during a traffic stop on the southbound lanes of Interstate 635 at Centerville Road at 10:50 a.m.

As Officer Lerma was reaching over his motorcycle to get out his ticket book, the van pulled into the median and struck him, throwing him down the highway. The van also struck the vehicle that Officer Lerma had pulled over, pushing it into oncoming traffic and killing the driver. The driver of the van was injured in the accident and admitted to the hospital.

The driver pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and was sentenced to five years of probation and a fine of $5000.

Officer Lerma had served with the Garland Police Department for 11 years and previously served with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife and two children.