Crash involving police car in southeast Austin causes delays to airport

AUSTIN, Texas - A crash involving a police car in southeast Austin snarled traffic headed to the airport early Sunday morning.

It happened around 3 a.m. on the eastbound side of SH 71 near FM 973.

Police say a vehicle collided with an APD unit. It appears the cruiser was rear-ended at a high rate of speed.

All eastbound lanes of SH 71 were closed for about five hours as police investigated.

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The extent of any injuries is currently unknown.

Incoming Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock told FOX 7 Austin an officer was working a separate crash when the officer and his unit were struck by an intoxicated driver. He says the officer was injured and taken to the hospital, but is expected to be okay.

"I have spoken to him, and he is doing okay. He's going to have a road to recovery, definitely not minor [injuries], but he's going to be okay," he said.

A TxDOT spokesperson sent FOX 7 Austin a statement regarding future plans for SH 71: 

"There are plans to add frontage roads along SH 71 from near Riverside Drive to Presidential Boulevard. The project is included in the 2024 UTP (Unified Transportation Program) approved by the Texas Transportation Commission a few months ago. Construction is expected to begin between 2028 and 2033. This is also a good time to remind drivers to do their part to help reduce crashes by driving to conditions, avoiding distractions, and never drinking and driving. This is especially important this time of year when we see more people on the highways and a lot more folks heading to the airport for the holidays."