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Three State Troopers hit by out-of-control motorists Tuesday morning

Posted at 4:53 PM, Mar 18, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-18 16:53:48-04

Three Virginia State Police Troopers were struck by out-of-control motorists Tuesday morning in the Metro-Richmond area,  spokesperson Sgt. Thomas Molnar said.

Only one of the three suffered any serious injuries.

At approximately 5:45 a.m. Tuesday morning, Senior Trooper M. S. Felton was stopped on the right northbound shoulder of I-95, near  Petersburg, to investigate a crash when a second crash occurred directly behind him.

Felton exited his patrol vehicle to render assistance to the driver in the second crash.  Minutes later, two more drivers lost control of their vehicles causing one of them to strike Trooper Felton and the Trooper’s vehicle. Trooper Felton’s vehicle did have its emergency lights activated at the time of the very first crash.

Trooper Felton and three other motorists were injured and transported to the hospital for treatment of serious but non-life threatening injuries.

A second state trooper was involved in a crash shortly before 6:30 a.m. on Brook Road at Interstate 95 in Henrico County, when a driver lost control of her vehicle and struck the trooper’s vehicle.

The trooper was stopped and waiting to make a left turn onto Interstate 95 southbound when the other vehicle struck his patrol car. Neither the driver nor trooper was injured.

The third crash occurred shortly before 7:00 a.m. on Interstate 64 westbound near Laburnum Avenue in Henrico County.  The trooper was stopped on the shoulder investigating a weather-related crash, when a westbound driver lost control, ran off the interstate and struck the trooper’s vehicle.

No one was injured.  The trooper’s vehicle did have its emergency lights activated.

“There is one very basic but critically important action that every motorist can do to help prevent these weather-related crashes and that is to simply slow down,” said Steven L. Chumley, the Division Commander of the Virginia State Police Richmond Division.  “As motorists, you must drive within your abilities and maintain control of your vehicles at all times.”

“Thankfully no one was killed or suffered any life-threatening injuries,” he added.

From 12:01 a.m. March 17 through noon on March 18, Virginia State Troopers responded to 1,000 crashes statewide.  Of those crashes, 326 were investigated by troopers and supervisors in the Richmond Division of the Virginia State Police.

Driving Tips in Inclement Weather   

  • State law requires headlights to be on when windshield wipers are in active use
  • Completely clear all windows and head/taillights of snow/ice before traveling
  • Add extra time to reach travel destination
  • Slow your speed for road conditions and especially on bridges and overpasses
  • Increase driving distances between vehicles for increased stopping distance
  • Always Buckle up and ensure your passengers are buckled up as well
  • Do not drive distracted
  • If your vehicle begins to hydroplane steer your vehicle in the direction you want your vehicle to go; brake and accelerate lightly
  • Plan ahead before you travel by calling 511 for road conditions or click on

http://www.511virginia.org – Do not call 911 or #77, as these are for emergency calls only