Dashcam captures moment police officer is thrown over car after he's hit by drunk driver

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Updated

A Texas police officer is recovering from a fracture and other injuries after he was struck by a suspected drunk driver while standing alongside a car during a traffic stop.

Officer Lesell approaches the car moments before the drunk driver hits - Credit: PA / Fort Worth PD
Officer Lesell approaches the car moments before the drunk driver hits Credit: PA / Fort Worth PD

Dashcam video from Fort Worth officer Matt Lesell's patrol car shows Lesell being thrown into the road after being struck on July 7.

Officer Lesell's dashcam captures the moment of impact - Credit: PA / Fort Worth PD
Officer Lesell's dashcam captures the moment of impact Credit: PA / Fort Worth PD

Authorities say the only reason he survived is because the drunk driver first struck the car that was stopped on the side of the road, lessening the blow to Lesell.

Lesell told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Monday that he fractured his vertebra and will be out of work for about another month.

Fort Worth officer Matt Lesell - Credit: PA/KDFW FOX 4
Fort Worth officer Matt Lesell Credit: PA/KDFW FOX 4

A 34-year-old man was charged with intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury to a police officer.

It's not clear whether the second driver was hurt.