| (a) Responsibility. The Texas Highway Patrol division of the department is assigned the responsibility of investigating and properly reporting crashes involving motor vehicles which occur outside the city limits of an incorporated city upon a public road, highway, or other way or place open to the use of the public. (b) Investigating and reporting. Upon notification of such crash, officers of the department will, insofar as practicable, make an on-the-scene investigation and properly report the results of their investigation without regard to the severity of the crash. (c) Crashes in cities. (1) The department will not investigate motor vehicle crashes which occur in cities except in emergencies or where prior arrangements have been approved. (2) Any commissioned member of the department who witnesses or comes upon a motor vehicle traffic crash within the city limits will notify local officers and turn all information and control of the investigation over to them as soon as possible. Pending the arrival of the local officers, such department members will seek to protect the scene, render first aid or summon medical aid, detain involved drivers when necessary, and take any other action immediately needed for the public safety for which he has been trained and is equipped to perform. |
