Video shows Aldine ISD police apparently running red light, causing crash that totaled pickup

An Aldine ISD police officer allegedly ran a red light and crashed into a pickup truck in north Houston on Monday afternoon, a witness said.

The officer has since been placed on administrative leave as authorities investigate.

The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. in the intersection of Aldine Bender and John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

In dashcam video obtained by Chron.com, Jacob Perkins, driving a 2007 Toyota Tundra, appeared to have a green light heading south on JFK when two marked Aldine ISD police cars cruised through the intersection.

An Aldine ISD police officer was involved in a crash Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. A witness told Chron.com that the officer ran a red light. An Aldine ISD police officer was involved in a crash Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. A witness told Chron.com that the officer ran a red light. Photo: Jacob Perkins Photo: Jacob Perkins Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Video shows Aldine ISD police apparently running red light, causing crash that totaled pickup 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

In video of the crash, neither police cruisers appeared to have their lights or sirens on when they drove through the intersection. Another vehicle next to Perkins' truck started to go as the southbound light turned green, but stopped after seeing the officers.

"I saw the green light," Perkins said. "As I approached, I saw the first cop pass, so I slowed down. Then I kept going through the intersection. The truck that was to my left hid the (second) cop car from my view until I got into the intersection. That's when I just smacked him."

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The crash spun the second police car into a stopped vehicle facing east on Aldine Bender.

"Once I got out of the truck, my immediate reaction was to throw my hands up to the cop and say, 'why the f*** did you run a red light?'" Perkins said. "We went and checked the police officer and everyone else to make sure that everyone was OK. As I approached (the officer), I said 'this is why you don't run red lights.' (The officer) didn't say anything. The investigating officer showed up and started doing everything. He told me personally that the cop car (driver) admitted fault."

Officials with Aldine ISD said they have yet to issue citations, if any, to any drivers in the crash. No one was injured, and their investigation is ongoing.

While the crash happened within Houston city limits, the Houston Police Department confirmed their crash detectives did not investigate the crash. Harris County Sheriff's Office also confirmed they're not investigating.

As for Perkins, his truck is in pretty bad shape, he said. He's filed a claim with his insurance but doesn't know what will happen next.

"The front end is pretty much destroyed," Perkins said, adding that his Tundra might be totaled. "It sucks, because now I'm out a vehicle because a cop ran a red light. It's a crappy situation. At least no one's hurt."

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message