State trooper's cruiser struck by vehicle

8/18/2013
BLADE STAFF

PIONEER, Ohio — A state trooper with the Defiance post was injured Sunday afternoon when a driver failed to stop at a stop sign on State Rt. 576 in Williams County and struck the trooper’s cruiser, sending both vehicles into ditches.

Investigators said Trooper Gale Horn, 43, was driving south on State Rt. 576 when a car driven by Nathan Rios, 25, of Angola, Ind., went through the stop sign at County Road R and struck the left side of Trooper Horn's car.

Mr. Rios' car went into a ditch and rolled over, troopers said, while Trooper Horn's car went into another ditch.

Mr. Rios and his passenger were treated at the scene for minor injuries and Trooper Horn was taken to Bryan Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Mr. Rios was cited for operating a vehicle while impaired and for failure to stop at a stop sign.

Both drivers and Mr. Rios’ passenger were wearing seat belts. The accident was reported at 3 p.m.