RICHMOND, Ind. — An Indiana State Police trooper is recovering after being struck by a vehicle while helping a disabled semi-tractor on Interstate 70 near Richmond Thursday afternoon.
According to an ISP release, trooper Eric Downey pulled over onto the right shoulder of I-70 neat the 151-mile marker to assist a semi-tractor pulling a trailer that had pulled over to the side of the roadway.
Around 2:30 p.m., Downey saw the disabled vehicle and activated his emergency lights as he positioned his fully marked vehicle behind the stopped semi to provide assistance.
ISP said preliminary information indicates that a 1998 Ford F-150 was traveling westbound on I-70 when it rammed into the back of Trooper’s vehicle.
Downey sustained “minor” injuries to his head and was transported to Reid Hospital in Richmond, according to ISP. He has since been released after receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
ISP added that alcohol or drugs are not currently believed to have played a role in the incident.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Richmond Police Department and Richmond Fire Department also assisted at the scene.
