Houston Police Department

April 7, 2006 -- Houston police are investigating a fatal traffic accident that injured an HPD officer in the 5700 block of West Airport at Rampart about 9:55 p.m. on
Thursday (Apr. 6).

The name of the deceased male is being withheld pending notification to family members. The officer, K.L. Merritt, was transported to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in stable condition with a head injury.

HPD Mobility Incident Management Division Sergeant D.S. Runyan and Officer S.
Martinez reported:

Officer Merritt, a 12-year veteran assigned to the Southwest Patrol Division,was on duty and driving his marked patrol vehicle westbound on West Airport. Civilian witnesses said Officer Merritt was driving in a safe manner when he approached the Rampart intersection. It was there that a pickup truck either ran a stop sign heading northbound on Rampart or failed to yield the right of way leaving the stop sign. The truck pulled in front of the police car and the officer was unable to stop before striking the truck on its right side. The truck then struck a tree, killing the driver. There were no passengers in the truck. Officer Merritt struck his head on the windshield in the collision. He was conscious at the scene and taken to the hospital.

JFC/RMM 4-7-06
Inc #054215206

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.