ISP trooper injured after being struck by drunk driver on I-465 eastbound

By JAY ADKINS
WISH-TV | wishtv.com

An Indiana State Police (ISP) trooper is recovering from injuries suffered last Saturday morning when his car was struck by an alleged drunk driver.

At 4:07 a.m. Saturday, an ISP trooper and an off-duty Fortville Police Department officer were at the scene of a jackknifed semitruck on I-465 eastbound near Allisonville Road. The Fortville officer came across the jackknifed semi while off duty. The officer remained at the scene to assist the trooper with the crash investigation and traffic control.

While blocking the lane with his police vehicle, the trooper was rear-ended by a pickup truck. The ISP trooper suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries in the crash and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. The Fortville officer’s police vehicle was also struck during the crash, but the officer was not injured.

The driver of the pickup truck, identified as Juan Cuatlacuatl, 21, Indianapolis, showed signs of impairment and was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated – causing injury.

The trooper has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. This crash marks the third time in his four-year career that he has been struck and injured by an impaired driver.

ISP Indianapolis District Commander Lt. Josh Watson provided the following message for drivers: “Please stop crashing into our first responders.”

This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/crime-watch-8/isp-trooper-injured-after-being-struck-by-drunk-driver-on-i-465-eb.