Trooper, a Sandusky native, recovering after being struck on Turnpike

By MELISSA TOPEY

topey@sanduskyregister.com

SWANTON

A state trooper is recovering after being struck and thrown 70 feet over a guardrail along the turnpike Thursday morning.

Swanton trooper Tommy Alexander, 41, said from his hospital bed that evening that he was in good condition.

"Just a sore shoulder and a laceration to my head," the Sandusky native said.

He said he had just stopped a minivan driven by Toledo resident Carol Thomas, 44, for a traffic violation.

Alexander was talking to Thomas and retrieving her driver's license when a smaller FedEx double trailer combination slammed into the patrol car and then hit the van.

"All hell broke loose," Alexander said.

He first heard tires hitting the rumble strips and saw a shadow coming toward him as he turned.

"It was too late to react," he said.

The semi was driven by Patricia Chapman, 53, Texas. The crash is still under investigation but Alexander said a chain reaction started when the semi hit the cruiser, which hit the minivan and pushed the van into him.

Alexander is a 1987 graduate of Sandusky High School. He was born a triplet and his brother, Timmy Alexander, is a Perkins police officer, Det. Lt. Al Matthews said. His sister lives in Columbus.

Alexander, who was coherent and alert when medical crews arrived, was flown to the University of Toledo Medical Center.

Thomas was upset and taken to Montpelier Hospital for observation, the patrol's district commander Capt. Roger Hannay said.

Chapman and her passenger declined treatment.

Routine traffic stops are one of the most dangerous functions for law enforcement.

Alexander, who has been a trooper at the Swanton post for more than 17 years, said he knew of other officers being injured while making stops, but this was a first for him.

He followed the correct procedure in making the stop, including walking up to the vehicle on the right side to stay out of traffic, Hannay said.

"He's a very good solid officer -- thank God he's OK," Hannay said. "We're most vulnerable when we step out of the car."

Hannay said the last time he could recall a trooper from the Swanton post being injured during a traffic stop was in 2006.

Trooper Tommy Baculik was hurt when a tire rolled off a semi, hit the cruiser and then struck him.