The Galveston Police Department is reviewing a fatal car crash to determine whether vehicles, including a police unit, ran over a man ejected from a vehicle early Saturday morning, city officials said.
Guillermo Tapia, 21, of Galveston, was traveling north on Broadway in heavy fog about 1:30 a.m. when he struck a median and was ejected from the vehicle, Marissa Barnett, city spokeswoman, said.
Tapia landed in the southbound traffic lanes, Barnett said.
It was unclear whether Tapia was alive after he landed.
The Galveston County Medical Examiner was investigating the cause of death and would address whether Tapia was struck by a vehicle, Barnett said.
Witnesses stated multiple vehicles attempted to avoid collisions with Tapia, Barnett said.
“A responding officer was traveling south on Broadway prior to the call for service when he came upon the scene,” Barnett said.
“The officer stated he changed lanes to avoid collision with witnesses that were standing in the lane of traffic and to avoid debris in the roadway.”
The officer then drove into lanes where Tapia had landed, Barnett said.
“A witness reported the officer’s vehicle rolled over the body in the roadway,” Barnett said. “It is inconclusive from dash cam footage whether the officers’ vehicle contacted the body.
“The department does not have any additional information at this time and will provide an update after the medical examination,” Barnett said.
