Five months after a crash on Interstate 83 left him fighting for his life, a Northern York County Regional police officer is back at work, his chief said.
Officer Matthew Groff, 24, of Harrisburg, returned to work Monday morning.
"It was great," Groff said of his return. "It feels normal."
Groff said he's feeling good and is ready for duty.
"I've been pain-free for months now," he said.
"We were all very excited and happy to see him this morning," Northern Regional Chief Mark Bentzel said Monday afternoon.
Groff has no work restrictions, meaning he has returned to full duty, the chief said -- but he won't be back on the street until next week.
Training: "This week he's in training," Bentzel said. "He will be spending several days renewing required certifications and qualifications that have expired. ... Next week, he'll be back on the road."
Groff has been spending time at police headquarters recently, and has been attending court appearances in cases where he filed charges against defendants.
"He's made it a point to be here a lot over the last several weeks," Bentzel said. "He's been working very, very hard at preparing himself to return to work."
Groff said he loves being a police officer and is looking forward to going back to patrolling the roads.
"I feel like it's my thing in life to do -- to help people," he said.
Groff said he's also looking forward to the day when he's no longer in the news.
What happened: Groff was seriously injured in a 2:34 a.m. April 18 crash on I-83 southbound, just south of the Emigsville exit, state police said.
State police said the cruiser Groff was driving rear-ended a slow-moving box truck, knocking out the lights on both vehicles. A tractor-trailer then rear-ended the cruiser, troopers said. I-83 southbound was closed for about 81/2 hours because of the crash.
Groff spent eight days at York Hospital, then was transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Montgomery County. After a two-week stay there, Groff was released and went to the Grant-
ville-area home of his parents to continue his recovery.
He has been a Northern Regional officer since May 2010.
The crash was investigated by state police, who have so far not released results of that investigation.
Second injury: The suspected drunken driver Groff was transporting in the back of the cruiser at the time of the crash also was hurt, police said.
Joshua M. Abbott, 23, of York Haven, suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized for a time, police said. On May 26, Northern Regional Police filed DUI charges against Abbott.
Abbott suffered numerous serious injuries in the crash. His physical condition continues to improve, according to attorney Nicholas Veronis. Those injuries included multiple fractures to his pelvis, thigh bone, lower back and face; a dislocated hip, bleeding on the brain and numerous scalp lacerations, the attorney said.
Abbott is now walking again, albeit very carefully and slowly, and it's hoped he'll be able to return to work in the fall, Veronis said.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
