State Trooper is Injured in Sussex County on a Traffic Stop

State troopers do a dangerous job on the roads of Virginia and are often hit by passing cars and other vehicles while conducting their roadside stops.

I was concerned to read that another trooper has been injured – this time in Sussex County on Friday morning.

Channel 13 news reported on how the trooper’s car was rear-ended at  9:15 a.m. as the trooper was trying to make a traffic stop on Route 460 west near the Sussex/Prince George Co. line, said Sgt. Michelle Anaya of Virginia State Police.

The injured trooper was taken to the hospital for treatment and should make a recovery. the other driver was treated at the scene, said Sgt. Michelle Anaya. The crash is under investigation.

Virginia has laws that are intended to protect state troopers, police officers, paramedics, other emergency personnel and even tow truck operators. The “move-over law” states you should move over or slow down if you see an emergency vehicle by the road. Here is the full text of the law.

§ 46.2-921.1. Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary emergency vehicles on highways; penalties.

A. The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber light or lights as provided in § 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, or 46.2-1024 or subdivision A 1 or A 2 of § 46.2-1025 shall (i) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.

B. A violation of any provision of this section shall be punishable as a traffic infraction, except that a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this section, when such violation involved a vehicle with flashing, blinking, or alternating blue or red lights, shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

C. If the violation resulted in damage to property of another person, the court may, in addition, order the suspension of the driver’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than one year. If the violation resulted in injury to another person, the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order the suspension of the driver’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than two years. If the violation resulted in the death of another person, the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order the suspension of the driver’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for two years.

D. The provisions of this section shall not apply in highway work zones as defined in § 46.2-878.1.

If you have been injured in a rear-ender crash, you will often have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at 757.455.0077 or see CooperHurley.com.