YORK COUNTY, Va. — A Virginia State Police (VSP) trooper was hurt in an early morning car crash on Wednesday, state police confirm.
According to VSP, Trooper B. Nicholson called emergency communications around 3:13 a.m. saying that he had been injured in a crash with another vehicle on I-64, just south of Burkes Corner.
State Police said the trooper was stopped on a closed shoulder of the interstate after finishing a traffic stop. By the time he reentered his car, he was sideswiped and hit by another vehicle, driven by 63-year-old Johnnie Davis.
State Police said Davis was not impaired nor speeding at the time of the crash. He was charged with reckless driving at the scene.
Trooper Nicholson was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries.
This crash is under investigation by Virginia State Police.
Virginia State Police want to remind drivers of Virginia's Move Over Law, which requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching a stationary vehicle on the side of the road.
The law applies to vehicles that are:
- Displaying flashing red, blue, or amber lights
- Activating hazard warning lights
- Displaying caution signs
- Or are marked with lit flares or torches
Ryan Adcock with AAA said drivers have to move over, slow down, and be aware when coming upon any emergency vehicle with flashing lights.
"We hear from our fleet drivers here at AAA just how scary and chilling, it can be when you are there, mere feet off of the side of the road and you have cars that are going 75, 70 miles an hour... just zooming past you," Adcock said.
Drivers who are caught and convicted of breaking the Virginia move-over law can face a suspended license of up to two years.
The Virginia Department of Transportation reports there have been 66 crashes involving their safety service patrol fleet and personnel between January 2023 and July 2024, injuring three people and killing one.