Injured trooper could be released from hospital tomorrow
Published: November 9, 2009
Updated: November 11, 2009
A Virginia State trooper who was taken by helicopter to VCU Medical Center after he was struck in his car during a early morning traffic stop by another vehicle could be released from the hospital tomorrow, a spokesman said this afternoon.
The wreck occurred shortly after midnight when a 2006 Chevrolet Impala hit Trooper Steven P. Scalfini and a 2005 Chrysler Sebring that he had stopped.
The trooper had non-life threatening injuries, said Sgt. Thomas Molnar, a State Police spokesman. Two other people hurt at the scene also had non-life threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Mario Davis, 47, of Henrico County was charged with reckless driving for failing to move over under a Virginia law that requires drivers on the lane closest to a emergency response to slow down, and if they can safely do so, change lanes, Molnar said.
Traffic for most of the night was rerouted at the Oilville exit.
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Reader Reactions
Troopers pay taxes too
MeToo is not stealing if it is allowed. “OH my tax dollars…blah,blah, blah” Get back to your biology or math class!
Oh by the way MeToo I don’t need you to schedule what I do during the day or any other time.
As far as a ride along? I have a brother that is a police officer, A cousin who is a ranking officer in the state police so I have a fair knowledge of what’s going on. So just skip your unsolicited advice.
MeToo if you are using a company computer you are stealing from your employer. Lunch time or not.
By the way you can cease with your personal attacks. Since you have so much time to sit at your computer and attack me maybe there’s too many employees in your department. I bet it’s a government agency of some type probably law enforcement.
Why don’t you get busy and do some productive work that you are being paid for instead of reading comments on the Online RTD?
Jack, that RIC person posted at 6:33pm… the majority of people are finished with their work day and home at that point. (I’m on lunch break at the moment, in case you going to attack my comment).
You, however, spent your ENTIRE day posting on different articles. It’s wonderful that you are retired (given your age, some of your antiquated views make sense now)... but go do something more productive with your life, instead of sitting at a computer all day long. You have all the time in the world to organize a group of people who think like you to petition the government for redress or write your congressmen, or do something more productive than complaining and arguing with people on a newspapers website.
In fact, in all of your free time, why not go for some police ride-alongs? See what it’s really like, before you sit around the complain?
Sorry, I think faster than I type. I meant “Self-sacrificing.“
<shaking head> Really? Is there honestly anything to debate here? A driver failed to move as required by law. They were wrong. Period.
And before anyone comments on the use of Med Flight, I suggest you do some research. Emergency Medical Personnel have very particular guidelines and protocols for activating Med Flight. Those rules exist for this very reason. The rules remove any question regarding how a given victim may get prioritized. It turns the decision making process into a clinical one. Obviously, the trooper met the criteria. If you think otherwise, you are either a paranoid anti-establishment loon, or just plain silly.
I have always moved over for law enforcement or EMTs, even before the law. Slowing down is a good idea too. Thanks to all of you. I count you as dedicated and self serving as the veterans we celebrate this week.
Blindside I have to agree with you but I’d like to point out too that the “witness” Nane804 has stated in one post that the deer darted out just as he was passing the traffic stop. Later Nane said he was in the process of changing lanes when the deer darted out.
Putting those two “witness” statements together it would appear he didn’t try to change lanes until he was actually at the traffic stop. Not thinking ahead and moving over before getting to the stopped cars means a reckless driving citation.
I don’t believe he purposely hit the officer or other individuals, I put it down to lack of commonsense (not moving over even if it weren’t the law or didn’t know that it is) and inattention while driving. Both of which you should be using when driving a vehicle.
Thankfully those involved will be ok, it could very easily turned into a tragedy.
Ok I am tired of sitting here listening to the negative side of this incident. Here are my points of this: 1. If the person was paying attention he could have slowed down to avoid these “deer” if there were any “deer” in the road at all. 2. The Trooper did have his emergency lights on which would give the driver ample time to say to himself hmm I think I should slow down and get out of the way…at midnight the traffic is not as crazy as rush hour…I promise.
3. If any of you negative commenters on here took a look at the Troopers vehicle as a result of this collision, you would realize that maybe just maybe at the time his injuries were severe enough for the paramedics on scene (after they cut him out of the vehicle mind you) to call out medflight in order to render quick medical aid to save this Troopers life.
4. Every person involved in this accident I am certain recieved the same amount and fair amount of medical attention.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…This is not about who was right, who was wrong…this is about the Trooper, his well being, and the safety of ALL our Law Enforcement Officers on the road every day…HOW HARD IS IT TO MOVE OVER OR SLOW DOWN IF YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION (EMPHASIS ADDED)???
Sugarfree, Nice to see someone pointing out the obvious, and the lack of common sense by a couple of the other posters!
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