TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Two Alabama State troopers both faced close calls in separate accidents after their patrol vehicles were struck while being parked on the side of the road.  Both
troopers were not seriously injured.

A tractor trailer plowed into the vehicle of trooper Ricky Thomas February 14t at three in the
morning near the McFarland Boulevard exit while Thomas was parked on the roadside working in
the construction zone.  

Trooper David Steward says both men were  lucky they were not seriously injured.  Steward says
it could have been worse.

Steward said, “Trooper Thomas is very fortunate that his injuries were not more severe.  You look at his car that was totaled out from the commercial vehicle he is very lucky.  I’ve seen in my career people not
walk away from wrecks like that”

Three days later the second crash happened on I-59 south bound near the Mercedes exit.  Trooper Mike Harris was parked on the side of the interstate with his blue lights on and his patrol vehicle was struck by a passenger vehicle.

Trooper David Steward says both these cases are good reminders why the Alabama move over law is
on the books. Its been enforces since 2010 and requires motorists to slow down and move into
another lane away from first responders.

“With the spike with car crashes with our patrol cars we’ve had recently, this is just another perfect reminder to please slow down and move over if all possible and these types of wrecks could have been avoided”.

Both men were treated and released from the hospital.