Feb. 09--Two Buchanan County Drug Strike Force deputies were injured in a five-vehicle collision Wednesday evening.
Their unmarked, county-issued vehicle was rear-ended while it was stopped at the light at Frederick Boulevard and Woodbine Road, causing a chain reaction.
James Booth and B.J. Fisher, both investigators with the Drug Strike Force, were transported by ambulance to Heartland Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
"One officer had mostly airbag injuries, but the other officer's injuries were more substantial," said Sgt. Steve Smith with the St. Joseph Police Department.
Emergency radio traffic indicated one of the deputies was in and out of consciousness while on the scene. However, both deputies were treated Wednesday night and released.
Traffic Officer Keith Dudley said the two, who were on duty at the time, were the third in the line of vehicles that were heading east around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday.
"The fourth vehicle behind struck the third one back, pushing it into the second one, then pushing it into the first one," he said. "And then just right after that, the fifth vehicle ran into the fourth."
No other injuries were reported from the six other people involved, but substantial front- and back-end damage could be seen on at least three cars.
Police blocked the eastbound lanes of Frederick Boulevard between Woodbine Road and Village Drive for an hour while they investigated the crash.
Mr. Dudley said a ticket was issued to the driver of the car that started the chain reaction.
Kim Norvell can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @KimNorvell.
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