HAMMOND, Ind. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- An Indiana State Trooper was struck while investigating a crash Sunday morning near Hammond, Indiana. He is the third ISP trooper struck over the past three weeks.
Indiana State Police said troopers from the ISP Lowell Post were investigating a multi-vehicle crash on I-80/94 near Calumet Avenue around 4 a.m. when a trooper was struck by another car.
Trooper Jarah Burgin was standing outside his police vehicle when a 2007 Buick — disregarding about 30 flares — struck his 2020 Dodge Charger, state police said.
"His vehicle was hit, as well as him personally," said Indiana State Police Sergeant Glenn Fifield, "so he was actually struck by the vehicle."
The Buick struck Burgin, sending him up into the air before hitting the windshield of the vehicle when the driver eventually stopped, state police said.
"When he landed, he landed on the windshield of the Buick that hit him and he landed so hard that his handcuffs that he carries on his uniform practically lodged into the windshield of the vehicle," Sgt. Fitfield said.
Sgt. Fitfield said unfortunately it has been happening more often.
"We've had a rash of them here. We are getting one a week. We have had three in the last three weeks," he said.
Burgin and the driver of the Buick, Jennifer A. Spikes, 35, from Gary, were transported to Community Hospital in Munster, state police said.
Burgin suffered serious injuries, but is now out of the hospital.
"He's very fortunate to basically not just walk away from this, but to survive a crash of this nature," Sgt. Fitfield said.
The driver, 35-year-old Jennifer Spikes, was later released from the hospital and transported to the Lake County Jail. She is facing multiple charges of driving while intoxicated and driving on a suspended license, state police said.