McAllen firefighter loses leg due to motorcycle crash

McALLEN - A firefighter remained in critical condition late Wednesday after doctors amputated a leg the man injured in a motor-cycle crash.

Ronnie Gomez, 57, was riding his Harley-Davidson with three fellow members of the Dragon Slayers Fire Fighters Motorcycle Club about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday when a suspected drunk driver clipped him as Gomez made a turn at the intersection of North 10th Street and Trenton Road, authorities said.

Israel Hernandez Jr., 23, of Edinburg, is accused of driving the vehicle that struck Gomez.

Authorities arraigned Hernandez on one count of intoxication assault, said Sgt. Joel Morales, a McAllen police spokesman. Hernan-dez could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the charge, a third-degree felony.

Police have released few details of the crash, which remains under investigation. Gomez is expected to have another round of surgery on his left leg Thursday at McAllen Medical Center.
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Sean Gaffney covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4434.