news-record.com

GRAHAM — A Highway Patrol trooper was hurt this morning when his patrol car was struck by another vehicle on Interstate 40/85 in Alamance County.

First Sgt. C.J. Slemenda said Humberto Reyna, who is based in Graham, is being treated at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill with a concussion and broken ribs.

A pedestrian also was hurt. That person was identified as Randy Barnes, 34, of Mebane. He is also being treated at UNC Hospitals for undisclosed injuries that are not life-threatening.

The Highway Patrol identified the driver of the car that hit Reyna as Marcella Crook, 38, of Durham. The driver was cited for exceeding a safe speed for conditions, a safe tires violation and improper registration. Crook was not hurt.

According to the Highway Patrol, Reyna was investigating a crash that had gone into a ditch on southbound I-85 (westbound I-40) between mile markers 153 and 154 in Graham on Monday. The trooper was sitting in his car in the right emergency lane with all lights activated.

At 8:15 a.m., a second vehicle tried to switch from the right to left lanes when it hydroplaned on the rain-slick highway. The vehicle traveled onto the right shoulder and hit the parked patrol car.

The injured pedestrian had been standing on the passenger side of the patrol car and talking to the trooper when the crash occurred. The pedestrian was a family member of the driver involved in the first accident.