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Video: Trooper quickly swerves, avoids ‘more severe crash’ with semi

Nebraska State Patrol said a trooper’s “defensive driving skills prevented an even more severe crash” after a semi crossed the center line on a bridge

By Jason Tidd
The Wichita Eagle

BENKELMAN, Neb. — The Nebraska state trooper was driving down Highway 34 near Benkelman when he approached a bridge.

It was on that bridge that a semi crossed the center line and crashed into the trooper’s car, dash camera video shows.

“As you can see, the trooper only has a split second to react to the semi crossing the center line,” the Nebraska State Patrol said in a Facebook post with the video “His defensive driving skills prevented an even more severe crash.”

https://www.facebook.com/NEStatePatrol/videos/10155384229647133/

Trooper Scott, who suffered minor injuries, was back to work by Thursday after the Monday afternoon crash, the State Patrol said on social media. But the semi driver, who may have suffered a medical issue, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

Immediately after the crash, the trooper’s dash camera video shows a crack in the windshield. Photos posted by the State Patrol show the car is missing its rear driver’s side tire. The driver’s door has large dents with a cracked window.

“We want our troopers to safely make it home to their families after each shift, just like we want all drivers to be safe on the road,” said Col. John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, in a release. “Please use caution on Nebraska roads and look out for your fellow drivers.”

The Patrol said this was the third time in less than a month that a trooper’s vehicle was hit by another vehicle — not including a police pursuit where a suspect intentionally rammed a cruiser.

©2018 The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kan.)

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