Missouri State Highway Patrolman Jeremy M. Potocki, 32, of Weldon Spring is home recuperating from injuries he sustained Sunday, when an Arnold man driving south on I-55 struck the trooper while he stood along the interstate on a traffic stop, said Juston Wheetley, a patrol spokesman.
The 43-year-old Arnold man has been arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated and two counts of assault, the patrol reported.
Wheetley said charges will be sought.
At about 8:25 a.m. Sunday, Potocki pulled over a 2002 Honda Civic on southbound I-55 just south of Union Road in south St. Louis County, got out of his patrol vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe he parked on the shoulder behind the Civic, and the Arnold man’s 1997 Volkswagen Jetta ran partially off the right side of the road and struck the rear of the Tahoe, which was pushed forward and struck Potocki and the Civic, the report said.
The Jetta then rotated clockwise and ran off the left side of the road and struck the center median, according to the report.
Potocki was taken by ambulance to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, where he was admitted, treated and then released on Monday evening, Wheetley said.
He said Potocki had serious, but not life-threatening injuries.
“He’s home resting,” Wheetley said.
The Arnold man sustained moderate injuries and was taken by helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital. His condition was not available this morning (May 27).
Skydan Zakhar, 21, of Ballwin, who had been driving the Civic, sustained moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County, where he was treated and released, a hospital spokesman said today.