Nevada trooper involved in crash with suspected DUI driver
A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper was involved in a crash on U.S. Highway 95 Saturday morning.
Around 7:45 a.m., Highway Patrol trooper Adam Whitmarsh was on a traffic stop on U.S. 95, north of Ann Road when a Honda CRV failed to maintain the travel lane and struck the back of the patrol car, causing the car to crash into the Honda, according to a Highway Patrol news release.
Whitmarsh was at the window talking to the driver who he had stopped, and he had to jump partially into the car to avoid being hit by the Honda, the release said.
The trooper, who has been praised for his rescue efforts during the Route 91 Harvest festival mass shooting, suffered minor injuries but is expected to make a “full recovery,” the release said.
“He escaped death twice now,” Highway Patrol spokesman Jason Buratczuk said at a briefing later Saturday.
The Honda driver has been booked into Las Vegas City Jail on suspicion of DUI, no seat belt, reckless driving, failure to use due care, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, and possession of a firearm while intoxicated, according to the release.
The Highway Patrol advised the public to slow down and move over when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road.
Buratczuk said that the side of the road serves as troopers’ “office space,” and they need it to remain clear so they can do their jobs.
Contact Jessica Terrones at jt
