Traffic Incident at 9900 Westpark Toll Road

October 2, 2007 - Houston police are investigating a fatal traffic accident involving a pedestrian at 9900 Westpark Toll Road at 10:30 a.m. on Monday (Oct. 1).

The pedestrian, identified as Harris County Precinct 5 Deputy Constable Jason Norling, was conducting a traffic stop at the time of the accident. Deputy Norling was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he later died.

HPD Mobility Incident Management Division Sergeant L.A. Washington and Officers R. Saenz, R. Newton, D. Schlichter and A. Taylor reported:

The driver of a black 2000 GMC Yukon was traveling eastbound on the Westpark Toll Road and talking on a cellular phone, when he was distracted by an insect inside of his vehicle. Due to the distraction, the driver of the GMC swerved onto the right emergency shoulder of the toll road striking Deputy Norling's marked police motorcycle, the violator's vehicle and Deputy Norling.

The investigation is continuing.

NJM/GO 10/2/07
Inc# 144270707

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