Trooper injured after car sideswipes NHP vehicle

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2004 | 11:02 a.m.

A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper was taken to University Medical Center this morning after he was struck by a fast-moving car during a routine traffic stop, authorities said.

Trooper Brad Carson, who had stopped a black Pontiac coupe on the exit ramp connecting westbound Interstate 215 to the McCarran airport tunnel about 7:20 a.m., was arresting the car's driver for improper registration when he was struck by his own car after it was sideswiped by a white Cadillac coupe, Angie Chavera, a spokeswoman for NHP, said.

Carson, who was in training with Trooper Brad Wine, was thrown to the ground and suffered "non-life threatening" injuries but was taken to UMC, Chavera said. The driver of the Cadillac, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown through the car's windshield and was also taken to UMC.

The extent of Carson's injuries were undetermined this morning.

Wine was standing behind the patrol car when it was hit and did not suffer any injuries, Chavera said. The Pontiac's driver suffered head and neck injuries and was also transported to UMC.

The Cadillac appeared to be illegally traveling on the shoulder and troopers believe the driver may have been intoxicated, Chavera said. The driver, a Las Vegas man whose name was not available, has one previous conviction for DUI, she said.

Depending on whether the driver was intoxicated, he could be cited for failure to maintain his travel lane and DUI with injury, Chevera said.