VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS — An Arkansas State Police trooper was not injured after a tractor-trailer struck and destroyed his patrol vehicle while he was assisting at the scene of a crash on Interstate 40 during winter weather conditions early Monday, officials said.

A spokesperson for ASP confirmed that the trooper was working a wreck on I-40 in Van Buren on Jan. 26 when the tractor-trailer hit his marked patrol unit. Authorities said the trooper was outside the cruiser at the time, checking on a driver, and narrowly avoided being hit.

ASP said the patrol vehicle was a “complete loss.” Following the close call, officials urged drivers to stay off the roads overnight as snow and slick conditions continued, noting reduced traffic helps keep first responders safer while they assist stranded motorists and respond to crashes.

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