Local

Truck slams into FHP car on SR-417

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Troopers are investigating what caused a driver to slam into the back of a trooper's patrol car, along State Road 417.

The impact sent the trooper's car flying from the side of the road into a ditch.

Troopers are checking if alcohol or drugs played a part in the accident, but they're glad it wasn't worse.

"Obviously, when we heard the call go out, we get nervous because we know how often this could turn deadly," Sgt. Kim Montes with Florida Highway Patrol said.

The trooper's patrol car that was waiting on the shoulder of 417, partly in the grass, for backup to check on a suspicious broken down car.

Montes said a red pickup truck that had been seen driving erratically lost control, drove through the emergency lanes, left the roadway and struck the left side of the trooper.

The truck rolled once before ending up back upright. The driver of the truck had minor injuries, the trooper also had minor injuries despite damage to his cruiser.

"Had the trooper been hit 2 or 3 feet more forward on that patrol car, we may be talking about a different scenario," Montes said.

"This could have been a family that had just stopped on the side of the road for an emergency, a blown tire," Montes said.

Troopers said the "move over law" may not apply because the trooper may not have had his lights on.

The driver of the red truck could wind up only being cited with a misdemeanor if he does not consent to a blood test for drugs or alcohol.