GRAND PRAIRIE (1080 KRLD) - A Grand Prairie police officer was hit and killed on the Bush Turnpike Friday morning. Officials identified the officer as 38-year-old A.J. Castaneda, a five-year veteran of the department and a father of two.
The crash happened along an elevated stretch of the Bush Turnpike/Texas 161 near Dickey Road.
It is with deep sadness that I announce we have lost one of our @GrandPrairiePD Officers this morning. Our department is hurting... our community is hurting... our city is hurting. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we move forward.
— Steve Dye (@ChiefDye)
June 7, 2019 Police say Castaneda was outside of his vehicle running radar when the crash occurred.
Officials say the driver of a Nissan 300ZX was heading northbound on the turnpike when they lost control of their vehicle and struck Castaneda's vehicle, sending him from the elevated surface to the ground.
The Texas Highway Patrol is investigating what caused the driver to lose control of their vehicle and no charges have been filed at this time.
Castaneda was taken to Medical City Arlington where he was later pronounced dead.
Prior to his time with Grand Prairie police, Castaneda served six years with the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office. He also served eight years in the U.S. Coast Guard.
All northbound lanes of the turnpike around Dickey Road were closed due to the investigation.
#TRAFFICALERT: We are working a crash on PGBT at Dickey Road involving one of our GPPD officers. All NB lanes of PGBT are shut down and traffic is being directed to the service road. More information to follow. Press release forthcoming.
— Grand Prairie Police (@GrandPrairiePD)
June 7, 2019 The Grand Prairie Police Benevolent Association has set up an official donation page for the family of Officer AJ Castaneda. All donations go to the family.
