Indianapolis News and HeadlinesIndianapolis Local NewsIndianapolis Crime News

Actions

Trooper, IMPD officer hurt in hit-and-run crash with suspected drunk driver: Indiana State Police

Trooper seriously hurt but 'alert and conscious'
Trooper hurt 2700 High School
Trooper hurt 2700 High School
ISP Trooper Keith Martin
Posted at 7:55 AM, Jun 20, 2022
and last updated 2022-06-21 12:57:02-04

SPEEDWAY — An Indiana State Police trooper and an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer were injured in a crash with a suspected drunk driver early Monday.

The trooper, Keith Martin, is in the hospital with serious injuries but is "alert and conscious," according to Indiana State Police.

Both he and the IMPD officer were responding about 3:26 a.m. to assist Speedway police with a semi-truck that was on fire near the 2700 block of High School Road.

Martin was standing beside his vehicle with its emergency lights activated when the 35-year-old driver of a Toyota Corolla struck him. The Toyota's driver then fled the scene, according to police.

The collision injured Martin and the IMPD officer, whose name has not been disclosed. That officer was treated at the scene while Martin was transported to a local hospital.

The Toyota's driver was later pulled over in the 7500 block of Crawfordsville Road. During the stop, police found open alcohol containers in the vehicle and damage that appeared consistent with the earlier crash.

The driver was then arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. She has not yet been formally charged.

ISP said Tuesday that Martin is expected to fully recover.

"He has a long road to recovery but thankfully he is getting better," ISP said in a Facebook post Tuesday.

This is the second time during a three-month period Martin has been hit by a suspected drunk driver, ISP said. It happened once before in late March.

In that instance, his car was totaled but he avoided being seriously injured.

Martin graduated the ISP Academy in December 2021 and finished his field training in March.

"Trooper Martin and his wife would like to sincerely thank the nurses, doctors and trauma staff at Eskenazi Hospital for the care he has received," the post states.