Two New York State Police troopers were injured early Friday morning when their patrol cars were struck by a drunk driver while they were investigating another drunk driving incident. The troopers had been working on the scene of a crash involving a 2018 GMC Arcadia, which had hit a Department of Transportation light tower in a work zone on the Southern State Parkway Eastbound.
The patrol cars were parked near the Babylon exits, with one car positioned behind the other for the investigation.
At around midnight, a gray 2004 Toyota Rav4 collided with the rear of one of the patrol cars, causing it to be pushed into the second patrol vehicle. The crash caused significant damage and sent both troopers to the hospital with minor injuries. Despite the impact, the officers initially focused on assisting the civilians involved in the previous crash, only to later realize they had been injured themselves in the collision.
Drunk Driver Strikes Two New York State Police Cars, Injuring Troopers During DUI Investigation
The driver of the Toyota Rav4, Jaikaran Ramrookum, 73, was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Additionally, Jared Robinson, 32, the driver involved in the initial incident with the GMC Arcadia, was also found to be under the influence of alcohol. It remains unclear whether Robinson faced any formal charges for his actions.
All individuals involved in the crashes, including the troopers, were transported to local hospitals. Thankfully, their injuries were non-life-threatening. The incident highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement officers during roadside investigations, particularly when impaired drivers are involved.
