College Place, Washington – Trooper Injured After Vehicle Gets Struck by Speeding Shoplifter

College Place, Washington (February 16, 2020) – A trooper was injured after his vehicle got rammed by a shoplifter driving away from Walmart. According to the report from KOMO News, the collision injured both the trooper and suspect, and they were taken to a local hospital. The injured trooper was reported to not be seriously injured. The suspect was treated of undisclosed injuries before being booked into Walla Walla County Jail.

The incident started around 10 p.m. on Sunday night. According to information from Trooper Chris Thorson, a call went out for a shoplifting in process at Walmart. The trooper was heading to the location when he was struck by the shoplifter, who was driving without headlights on. The suspect was jailed on suspicion of driving under the influence, meth possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and reckless driving.

About Vehicle Accidents

While this particular incident contains a criminal element, it is important to note that accidents of other causes can also result in damage or injuries. In 2017, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)  have reported a total of 120, 993 car accidents. Of those accidents, 525 were fatal and 34, 311 were possible or suspected of injuries. There are several types of collision that may happen, such as side collision, rollover collision, and head-on collision. Of the types of car accidents, head-on collisions are considered the most dangerous due to the circumstances – two cars are heading towards each other, with a great amount of force being experienced by all parties when the impact happens. While only 2% of car accidents are head-on collisions, they account for more than 10% of car-accident related injuries. These injuries are quite dangerous as most of them are head, spine or neck-related, including spinal injuries, brain injuries, paralysis, broken bones, and whiplash. Similarly, victims of side collisions and rollover collisions also suffer may also suffer head and neck injuries, though the risk is lower in these types of collisions. In rollover collisions, the car will come to rest on its side or roof, resulting in a dangerous situation which passengers might need to be extricated from. In side collisions, the greatest risk comes to the passenger on the particular side that received the impact. No matter the type of accident, all crashes are bound to cause a dreadful situation for all involved.

We urge all drivers to be careful while behind the wheel. When in a location where hazards such as poor illumination, rough roads or construction materials are present, be especially cautious. By doing this, we can ensure our safety as well as the safety of others in the nearby area.

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Note: The place of the collision was not specified in the report.