BPD Officer survives head-on collision

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Burnet Police Officer Matthew “Matt” Imrie underwent a lengthy a delicate surgery Wednesday, Jan. 11, in the aftermath of a traffic accident north of Marble Falls late Tuesday afternoon.

Department of Public Safety troopers assigned to investigation of the accident have been unavailable with details, but reports from the scene described the accident as a two-car, head-on collision at the intersection of US 281 and Farm to Market Road 1855 (Fairland Road).

The Burnet County Sheriff's Department dispatcher received the first call on the collision at 5:30 p.m. Almost immediately, social media was busy with prayers and condolences for Imrie and his 10-year-old daughter, Carleigh, a passenger in his SUV, who was not seriously injured.

Some reports have described Imrie turning on to US 281 when his SUV collided with a pick-up driven by a pickup truck driven by James “Jimbo” Simpson. Simpson, who suffered an ankle injury, was reportedly on his way to pick up his wife who was being released from the hospital.

As Burnet Police Chief Paul Nelson waited for the outcome of surgery on Imrie's badly injured femur bone Wednesday, he said, “He’s in a fight, he’ll continue to fight and we will continue to stay by his side. I am a firm believer in prayer.”

Concern was pouring out also to Imrie's fiancé, Granite Shoals Police Officer Ginnie Fitzpatrick.

“The past 24 hours have been exceptionally tough, but BPD would like to thank the public for their tremendous support and prayers for Officer Imrie and his family,” Nelson said Wednesday. “Several people have asked us about how they can help the family in this difficult time. As a result of those inquiries, an account has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank...to assist with the numerous medical bills and miscellaneous expenses that will be burdening the family in the coming months.

“Should you feel the desire to help out the family financially, you may visit any Wells Fargo Bank location and let the teller know you would like to make a contribution to the benefit fund for Matthew Imrie.”

Imrie has been a patrol officer for the BPD for five years and was described by Chief Nelson as a man who “loves and takes pride in working with the youth in the community.”

“He has been a huge part of the success with the Burnet Police Explorers,” said the chief. “Officer Imrie had just taken off to go pick up his daughter, to get her situated at home, and was planning to return to work to attend the weekly Explorer meeting (when the accident occurred).”

In addition to the Wells Fargo account reported by Nelson, a GoFundMe account also was created at http://bit.ly/2ipHu4N.