A man in a wheelchair died early Wednesday morning after a Dallas police cruiser hit him, investigators said. The accident happened at about 1:45 a.m. on Corinth Street at Industrial Boulevard.

The victim was rushed to Methodist Medical Center but later died.


Investigators said Sr. Cpl. Kenneth Strauss was going northbound over the Corinth Street bridge when the accident happened. The victim was traveling southbound in his wheelchair in traffic lanes when he drifted into the northbound lanes and the officer struck him, police said.

Police confirmed Strauss was on his way to help other officers on a call but he did not have his sirens on and was not speeding.

Another driver witnessed the accident.

The name of the victim has not been released.

Strauss, who has been with Dallas police since July 1991, is being counseled.

Investigators are trying to determine if the accident could have been prevented.