North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Released From Hospital

CHARLOTTE --  A North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper who was seriously injured after he was struck by a vehicle in July headed back home.

Trooper Adolfo Lopez-Alcedo was released Tuesday from the Shephard Center in Atlanta where he was undergoing rehabilitation, according to WBTV.

Lopez-Alcedo will continue his rehabilitation in Union County

North Carolina State Trooper Ray Pierce told the news station that “Every day he’s making great strides and his health is getting better.”

Lopez-Alcedo was near the scene where five people were killed in a wreck the night before when a car struck him the morning of July 4 on the outer loop of Interstate 485 at West W.T. Harris Boulevard.

He was taken to the hospital in "very critical condition" before being transported from Atrium Health’s CMC to Wilson Air Center, where he then boarded a medical aircraft. He was flown to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Georgia, where he was met by members of the Georgia State Patrol who provided an escort to the Shephard Center. 

"He is playing thumb wars with his wife. He is pointing to pictures of his family and identifying who they are. Blowing kisses, counting with his fingers, waving, moving his hands and feet on command. He also was able to march and pivot in place," an update on the trooper’s GoFundMe page reads. "God is performing miracles everyday!!! He continues to fight for a full recovery."

Lopez-Alcedo suffered significant injuries to his body and brain, the extent of which have not been fully diagnosed. Family members said that his recovery will take months or even years and will require numerous medical appointments and unknown expenses.

The two-year veteran of the North Carolina State Patrol is assigned to Troop H, District 5 in Mecklenburg County.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol Collision Reconstruction Unit is conducting the investigation into the crash.