A Tyler police officer was seriously injured early Friday, September 18, 2026, when a speeding vehicle struck his patrol car on Virginia Avenue in Tyler, Texas. Officer Josiah Baxter suffered a broken hip, arm, ribs, clavicle, and a spinal fracture, and had to be extracted from his vehicle before being rushed into surgery at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital. The driver allegedly responsible for the crash, 21-year-old Robert Ashton Fasang, was arrested and charged with intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury to a peace officer. Fasang is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond.
According to cbs19.tv, Baxter is the sole provider for his wife and three children, one of whom requires round-the-clock medical care, and he is expected to be away from work for an extended recovery period. KLTV reported that both vehicles sustained catastrophic damage in the collision, and that Baxter’s condition was stable as he awaited additional surgeries. The Tyler Patrolman’s Association has since set up a fundraiser to support the Baxter family through his recovery. Authorities say the investigation into the crash remains active as the case moves through the Smith County court system.