Trooper injured in crash

Published 1:00 pm Saturday, September 2, 2017

Virginia State Trooper D.L. Vaughn has been released from the hospital after a 28-year-old Charlotte County man crashed his vehicle into that of the trooper’s in Buckingham County on Friday.

State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller says Antonio D. Smith fled the scene on foot after crashing his 2004 Ford Explorer into Vaughn’s vehicle, which was initiating a traffic stop near the intersection of Routes 15 and 20.

“At approximately 8:40 p.m. … Vaughn had pulled up to the stoplight at the intersection of Routes 15 and 20 in Buckingham County when he observed a violator driving on Route 15,” Geller said. “The trooper activated the emergency lights on his 2015 Ford Taurus as he pulled into the intersection to turn left to head south on Route 15 and initiate a traffic stop.”

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“A 2004 Ford Explorer traveling north on Route 15 was unable to stop in time and struck the marked patrol car in the side,” Geller said.

A State Police K-9 was able to track the Smith into a wooded area not far from the crash scene, Geller said.

“Further investigation revealed he was wanted by another police agency. Smith was arrested on that warrant and charged by State Police with driving on a suspended license. He was transported to Piedmont Regional Jail.”

Vaughn was transported to Centra Southside Community Hospital in Farmville, where he was treated and released early Saturday morning, Geller said.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.