A Washington State Patrol trooper was seriously injured after his patrol vehicle was struck Tuesday night.
Trooper Michael Patoc was assisting a disabled motorist blocking a lane of eastbound Interstate 90 in Bellevue when the crash occurred, according to KOMO-TV.
Patoc was out of his patrol car just before 7:30 p.m. attempting to clear the vehicle in the center lane when his vehicle was struck by a distracted driver. The impact of the crash crushed the rear of his patrol car and launched it forward into the disabled vehicle which struck the trooper and threw him several feet.
Patoc sustained serious injuries and was immediately rushed to Overlake Hospital where he was treated and released on Wednesday morning.
There were no other injuries reported in the crash.
The driver, a 24-year-old woman, stated she observed the patrol cars emergency lights but did not realize it was stopped She said that she looked down to adjust the dash controls in her vehicle before she struck the patrol car at a high rate of speed.
"It appears the causing driver in this instance was distracted, it's important to remember that although cell phones as distraction have been paramount in the media lately all distractions are hazardous while driving," Washington State Patrol District Commander Ron Mead said in a statement. "Our message is simple; when you are driving, focus on driving. This crash was entirely avoidable had the driver been paying attention. I am grateful that as serious as the injuries to the trooper are, they aren't any worse"
