Two NYS Troopers have been severely injured while on duty. They had been responding to an accident early Sunday morning.
State Police Major Robert Patnaude talked about two events during a news conference Sunday afternoon. He says state troopers were on the scene of an accident involving a person who crashed on I- 90 near Exit 8 in North Greenbush, when a car driven by 26 year old Christopher Neuman allegedly failed to move to the right, and collided with a State Police car. Neuman’s car then kept going, and struck State Troopers Brent Karow and Shane Swartz, and a tow truck operator.
The two troopers struck are very seriously injured. The tow truck operator suffered minor injuries.
During the news conference Major Patnaude said that Trooper Karow is in ICU at Albany Medical Center, with multiple fractures and internal injuries. Karow was thrown 70 feet, after being struck by Neuman's car.
Patnaude said Trooper Swartz also sustained multiple fractures and internal injuries, and was scheduled to undergo surgery at Albany Medical Center on Sunday afternoon. Surgeons expect the surgery to take 6 or 7 hours. According to Patnaude, Swartz was trapped under the tow truck.
Neuman, who lives in Castleton, is charged with 1st degree Vehicular Assault and Driving while Intoxicated.
Photos by Getty Images and provided by NYS Police.