A state trooper was treated and released from the hospital after he was injured when a semi crashed into his police cruiser on Interstate 69 in Hopkins County Monday morning.
State Police say a preliminary investigation revealed Trooper Ben Sawyer was on a work detail and was stopped behind a surveying crew with his emergency equipment activated when his cruiser was hit from behind by a semi driven by 64-year old Charles Treat of New Burnside, New York.
According to police, the collision occurred shortly before 10:30 near the 103-mile marker when a semi in front of Treat in the right lane slowed down due to the work zone. Treat then moved over into the left lane to pass the semi and saw the stopped cruiser. He reportedly applied his brakes but couldn’t stop in time to avoid crashing into the back of the cruiser.
Trooper Sawyer was transported to Baptist Health Madisonville, where police say he was treated and released for minor injuries. No other injuries were reported. An accident reconstructionist is continuing to investigate the wreck.
