?SALISBURY – An N.C. Highway Patrol trooper is back to work this week after being injured in a collision Aug. 25.
Trooper S.B. Marshall had just pulled someone over for speeding when a man driving a utility vehicle swerved and hit the trooper and another driver.
The incident occurred last Saturday around 6:15 p.m. at U.S. 70, near N.C. 801, said Sgt. E.T. Suttles, who investigated the collision.
Marshall was able to return to work two days after the crash, Suttles said.
Marshall was sitting in his vehicle looking up the driver’s registration information from the vehicle that was stopped alongside the road.
Suttles could not provide the name of the driver Marshall stopped nor the type of vehicle. He told a Post reporter Friday the wreck report would be available Monday.
The passenger vehicle was driven by a woman who had two passengers. There is no information available as to their identities.
Suttles could not provide information about the man who was driving the utility vehicle or the company that owned the vehicle. Suttles said the driver told him he heard a beeping noise coming from the truck. He looked away from the road to see about the noise and ran off the right side of the road.
The female driver complained of back, neck and head pain. Marshall said he had back pain.
All were taken to Rowan Regional Medical Center, where they were treated and released.
“They were all treated with Ibuprofen. Their X-rays turned out OK,” Suttles said.
The driver of the utility vehicle was cited for failing to move over and failing to maintain lane control.
Trooper Marshall’s vehicle was totaled and towed away. The passenger vehicle was also towed away.
The utility truck had some damage to its front right side, but was able to be driven.
The move over law went into effect in January 2002 requiring motorists to move one lane away, on a multi-lane road, from any law enforcement or other emergency vehicle.
If there is no lane to move into motorists are required to slow down and approach cautiously.
Any person who violates the move over law will pay a mandatory $250 fine and the cost of court.Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.