NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper was taken to the hospital Tuesday after his cruiser was struck by a vehicle on the Ohio Turnpike in North Ridgeville.
Officials say Trooper Alfonso Sierra had parked his patrol car on the shoulder of Interstate 80 near state Route 10 with its lights on when a Honda HR-V headed westbound drove off the side of the highway and slammed into the back left corner of the automobile just before 5:15 p.m. Sierra suffered only minor injuries, but was still transported to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center.
The highway patrol on Thursday released dash camera and body camera footage showing the moment the car makes impact with the patrol cruiser, followed by Sierra's interactions with the driver of the vehicle and a bystander who rushed in to check if they were OK. You can view the OSHP footage in the video player below.
The driver of the Honda, a 65-year-old man from North Olmsted, "was believed to be suffering from a medical episode" when his car hit Sierra's. He was also taken by ambulance to UH Elyria and his condition is unknown at this time.
The OSHP cruiser suffered noticeable damage to its rear before being towed from the scene, with North Ridgeville police among those assisting authorities in the area. The incident is currently under investigation.
DASH CAMERA/BODYCAM FOOTAGE
