Highway Patrol trooper struck by allegedly drunk driver

An Ohio Highway Patrol trooper was taken to the hospital after being struck in his car by an allegedly drunken driver late April 12 in Willoughby Hills.

According to the OHP, state troopers were assisting with lane closures on Interstate 271 northbound at milepost 239 in Willoughby Hills at 11:09 p.m. Two marked patrol vehicles with overhead lights activated were slow-rolling in the local lanes to allow roadway workers to transition a work safety zone just south of the Interstate 90 interchange.

As the troopers headed northbound, a 2018 Subaru Impreza approached the troopers from behind without slowing. The Subaru struck a marked 2014 Dodge Charger patrol car that was in the left lane. The Subaru traveled through the grass median that separates the local and express lanes and came to rest on the right berm of the express lanes of 271 north.

The patrol car came to rest partly on the left berm of the local lanes.

Both cars sustained heavy damage and were disabled.

The trooper driving that patrol car was wearing a seat belt. The trooper was transported by Willoughby Hills EMS to Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, where he was treated and

OHP was assisted on scene by Willoughby and Willoughby Hills police, fire and EMS crews, Mayfield Village police, and the Ohio Department of Transportation, as well as crew members from the on-site construction contractor, MP Dory Co.

released.

The driver of the Subaru, Mary C. Vitolo, 35, of Willoughby, refused EMS treatment at the scene. During an investigation, troopers found that she was impaired by alcohol, according to a news release. She was arrested and taken to the Lake County Jail on OVI and aggravated vehicular assault charges.

OHP was assisted on scene by Willoughby and Willoughby Hills police, fire and EMS crews, Mayfield Village police, and the Ohio Department of Transportation, as well as crew members from the on-site construction contractor, MP Dory Co.