Trooper hurt in crash on I-475 in Sylvania Township

2/22/2008

An Ohio Highway Patrol trooper was hurt early Friday when his cruiser was hit by a sport-utility vehicle on westbound I-475 at the U.S. 23 split in Sylvania Township, authorities said.

Jason Metzger, 27, of Toledo, the trooper, was treated at Flower Hospital.

Mark Post, 47, of Waterville, the driver of the SUV who was not hurt, was arrested for operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

The accident occurred a few minutes after midnight when the trooper was standing by his cruiser, investigating a single-vehicle crash.

That s when a westbound SUV hit his cruiser, barely missing him, Trooper Metzger said.

About 6 a.m., the trooper was at the patrol s Toledo post, waiting for a ride home when he took a phone call by The Blade.

He told what happened.

"I was halfway into the cruiser on the driver s side reaching for paperwork when I heard him coming up," the trooper said.

"I heard the tires squealing. I tried to jump into the cruiser and was barely in when he hit. It happened so quickly."

Mr. Post stopped the SUV and was arrested at the scene.

The trooper said he was alert and conscious after the crash. As of 6 a.m., he was suffering only from muscle pain, he said.