MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was struck by a car Friday morning while conducting speed enforcement on the Dolphin Expressway, authorities said.
The crash was reported about 9:45 a.m. near the Northwest 107th Avenue exit in west Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said that the trooper was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. He was later identified as Carlos Rosario, 37, a 12-year veteran of the FHP.
"Immediately upon arrival, he required life saving intervention, including his breathing," JMH surgeon Dr. Gerd Daniel Pust said.
"He's got major injuries, mostly orthopedic injuries to his face, spine and lower extremities," Dr. Carl Schulman added.
FHP Sgt. Mark Wysocky said Rosario was standing in the shoulder of the highway, at the bridge over 107th Avenue, when a driver lost control of their vehicle, spun out and struck the trooper.
"What we have to determine is why this person lost control of his car to spin sideways and run into the patrol car and the trooper," Wysocky said.
Sky 10 was above the scene just after 10 a.m. and saw that the FHP patrol car sustained rear-end damage.
Wysocky said Rosario was standing at the back of his car when he was struck.
"Well, of course these troopers work with these people every day," Wysocky said. "You need to move over for law enforcement officers."
Wysocky said the driver who struck the trooper remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
Authorities are working to determine why the driver lost control of his car and whether charges will be filed against him.
Westbound lanes were shut down at Northwest 107th Avenue after the crash.