Ohio: Trooper injured in crash

Drivers traveling through Belmont county on interstate 70, got an eyeful on Tuesday afternoon. Mangled vehicles including an Ohio state highway patrol cruiser stacked up, between Bridgeport and Saint Clairsville, and the result of a stunning chain of events, one that started with a crash in the rain.

James Faunda with Ohio state highway patrol says, “In the course of investigating that crash. Two other vehicles lost control - one was a white chevy truck - he went off the roadway and struck the patrol car and pushed the patrol car into the vehicle in front of it."

Investigators say the trooper was not belted in and was fortunate to avoid serious injuries.

As were others who ended up with cuts and bruises from the three crash, highway mess.

Faunda says, "When you have adverse conditions such as heavy rainstorms you need to adjust your speed accordingly. 55 is too fast in a downpour and unfortunately these drivers were going to fast when this occurred."

For troopers and others in the valley - this serves as a reminder - of the risks many take everyday.

"One of the biggest dangers we face as law enforcement and emergency - is when we are on a roadway - people are distracted - they drive off the road - and we get killed - this is just one of the dangers that we face everyday out here on the roadway,” says Faunda.

The Ohio state highway patrol is still investigating; they tell us that if someone is found at fault - citations will be issued.

Once again the trooper was treated, evaluated and released earlier this evening.