Harris County Deputy John Coddou Killed in Line-of-Duty Collision on Highway 99

New details have been released by Texas authorities regarding the line-of-duty death of a deputy from Harris County. Deputy Investigator John Coddou, 50, passed away on Tuesday after being struck by a Chevrolet Silverado while investigating a minor crash in the northbound lanes of Highway 99 at around 9:36 am. According to reports provided by the sheriff’s office traffic team, as Coddou investigated the initial accident his patrol vehicle was positioned on the left shoulder with its right side partially blocking one lane. The emergency lights were activated and less than ten minutes later a white Silverado approached the scene driving in the blocked lane while talking hands-free on their cellphone. In an attempt to avoid hitting Deputy Coddou’s vehicle, this unknown male driver carried out ‘faulty evasive action’, resulting instead in them entering into the centre grassy median which is dividing both northbound and southbound lanes where Coddou was standing at that time. The deputy sustained injuries when struck by the front right area of the truck; he subsequently underwent treatment for his injuries but tragically passed away later on Tuesday evening after being airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez expressed deep sadness at Coddou’s death and led a procession in honour of him, with reports from FOX 26 Houston indicating that the deputy had served for twenty years within Harris County sheriffs office prior to his passing. The Vehicular Crimes Division is continuing its investigation into this deadly collision as enquiries continue.