 |
| Technical Trooper Phillip Metzen |
I responded to the scene of a non-injury crash on Highway
K-96 in Wichita involving three motorists. Light snow was falling at the time,
causing slick road conditions. I positioned my patrol car on the inside lane of
the highway with my emergency lights activated to provide protection for the disabled
vehicles involved in the crash. As I was relaying my location to dispatch,
prior to exiting my vehicle, my patrol car was suddenly struck from behind.
I responded to the crash to help others, but within just nine
seconds of stopping, I was the one who needed help.
The impact pushed my patrol car nearly 100 feet forward,
despite it being in park. During the collision, my head struck the driver’s
side visor and a mounted camera. I was then thrown back into the driver’s seat,
which broke backwards, causing me to strike the pillar between the driver’s
side doors.
The crash investigation revealed that the vehicle which
struck my patrol car had failed to slow down and began sliding out of control
several hundred feet back. The vehicle crossed three lanes of traffic before colliding
with my patrol car.
As a result of the crash, I sustained multiple injuries,
including a torn rotator cuff and labrum tear in my shoulder, which will affect
me for the rest of my life. I am also still experiencing symptoms from the
concussion I suffered and have ongoing medical appointments to aid recovery.
Working in law enforcement is dangerous, and I know the risks
I face every day on the job. This was not the first time I’ve been struck by a
motorist on the roadway; it was the third time since I began my career in 2015.
If this crash had occurred just a few seconds later, I would have been outside
of my patrol car, and I might not be here today to tell my story.
That is why I urge every driver to slow down when they see
emergency lights ahead. It doesn’t matter if those lights belong to a police
vehicle, a KDOT vehicle, an ambulance, a fire truck or a tow truck.
Life moves fast. Slow down so it doesn’t end too soon.
Troopers aren't the enemies, just like us at KDOT, we are providing a valuable service to the traveling public. We at KDOT highly appreciate the Troopers and value their support in our work zones. Look for signs, slow down around work zone signs and emergency lights, and may you get to your destinations safely. Ken Lukavsky (Luke) KDOT District 2 Safety Specialist
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are on the road to healing after such an awful series of events! If only the driver would have slowed down, a lot of pain could have been avoided. Thank you for sharing your story. It's a reminder that in every condition, we need to drive safe.
ReplyDeleteThat is scary!! Thank you for your service, and I'm sorry you were injured. Everyone who works along the highways can potentially be in danger. Everyone needs to slow down, pay attention and give people extra room along the highways, and even more room in inclement weather.
ReplyDelete