A state trooper and two private citizens were hurt after a crash on Interstate 95, local sources have confirmed. The Florida Highway Patrol trooper and two women were all taken to local hospitals after one of the women allegedly drove her vehicle into the trooper’s squad car. Police are still trying to piece together the specifics of the car accident, and they have not yet filed charges. 

Just before 10 a.m. on the morning of Aug. 4, the trooper had stopped his vehicle at the side of the interstate and was filling out paperwork after working another crash in the area. The driver of the other vehicle, an unidentified woman, apparently lost control and rammed into the back of the squad car. This accident is believed to have been a result of a violation of Florida’s “move over” law, which requires motorists to keep a wide berth away from emergency vehicles on the side of the road. 

The officer and one of the women were taken to a local hospital, while the other woman was taken to a second hospital in the area. Although all three were seriously hurt in the crash, thankfully none of their injuries are considered life threatening. So far, the Florida police investigation is still underway. 

Depending on whether the driver of the second vehicle can be proved to have been in violation of the “move over” law or any other traffic law, it is possible she will face criminal charges at a later time. The officer was on duty during the car accident and, therefore, will be supported through work-based compensation, but the woman’s passenger is entitled under Florida law to file a personal injury claim. As long as adequate evidence of the woman’s culpability is found, that suit could be successful in civil court. 

Source: news4jax.com, “Trooper, 2 others hurt in crash on I-95 near IGP“, Jim Piggott, Aug. 4, 2015