– Virginia state trooper vehicle struck by intoxicated driver during DUI stop
– Virginia state trooper car hit by drunk driver while conducting DUI stop.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A shocking incident occurred in Fairfax County, Virginia, when a Virginia state trooper’s vehicle was struck by a drunk driver while he was conducting a DUI stop on Interstate 495. The trooper was in the process of engaging with a driver who had stopped in the northbound lane near Exit 52 when the unfortunate chain of events unfolded.
As the trooper attempted to get the uncooperative driver to exit the vehicle and move it to a safer location, a Jeep Cherokee collided with a tractor-trailer that had stopped due to the lane closure caused by the sedan. The impact caused the Jeep to spin and collide with the trooper’s patrol car, which then hit the sedan, ultimately striking the trooper who was standing next to the vehicle.
Minor Injuries Reported
Despite the chaos of the crash, the trooper only sustained minor injuries and was taken to Fairfax INOVA Hospital for evaluation. The driver of the sedan, identified as 43-year-old Erica D. Bernard from Albright, West Virginia, was also treated for minor injuries sustained during the collision.
Charges and Arrests Made
Following the incident, Bernard was charged with driving under the influence of drugs, obstruction, possession of a schedule I or II substance, refusal of a blood/breath test, and improperly stopping a vehicle on a highway. She was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center along with the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, 35-year-old Joanna F. Hatch from Arlington, Virginia, who was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The aftermath of the crash serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the importance of following traffic laws to ensure the safety of all road users. Authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine the full extent of the damages and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
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1. Virginia state trooper vehicle hit by drunk driver during DUI stop
2. Virginia state trooper vehicle collision drunk driver DUI stop.
