Officer in Connecticut Struck By Car While Assisting Motorist

A police officer in Connecticut was struck by a vehicle while he was attempting to help out a motorist with a disabled car on Thursday night (October 10).

According to a social media post from the Town of Orange Police Department, the officer responded to a call on Marsh Hill Road in Orange, right near the Outback Steak House, around 10:06 PM. Apparently, a car had been smoking and the operator of the vehicle was fearful that there was a fire somewhere in the car.

As the officer, who has not yet been identified, arrived on the scene, he was hit by a vehicle that was traveling southbound on Marsh Hill Road near the driver's side of the car that had been disabled.

The officer, who police say suffered injuries to his lower extremities, was immediately taken to Yale Hospital by AMR ambulance for treatment. The operator of the vehicle that stuck the officer reportedly stayed on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

As per protocol, the Connecticut State Police have now taken on the investigation.

This accident is the perfect example of just how important Connecticut's "Slow Down, Move Over" law is to abide by. Earlier this year, AAA Northeast spokeswoman Fran Mayko addressed the frequency of these types of accidents, noting that, “You see this daily on our roadways. Connecticut’s “Slow Down, Move Over” law means just that: when a driver sees an emergency vehicle, whether it’s a state police cruiser, fire truck, ambulance, DOT vehicles, or a tow truck with activated lights, drivers need to reasonably slow down below the speed limit. And if possible, move to the adjacent lane to give responders space to operate.”