INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana State Police trooper is recovering after being hit by a vehicle on Interstate 465 early Saturday morning.
ISP 33-year veteran First Sgt. Todd Harless was dispatched to the 1.5 mile marker on I-465 eastbound, near U.S. 31 and South East Street, to investigate a multi-vehicle crash with injury at 2:21 a.m. Oct. 19.
ISP said Harless’ marked 2017 Dodge Charger police car was blocking the left lane of travel to "protect the crash scene," and its emergency lights were "fully activated."
At 3:14 a.m., Harless was outside of his vehicle investigating the crash when a 2002 Honda Civic crashed into the trooper's car. The crash led to the police car being pushed forward and Harless getting hit by his own vehicle.
"When you've received that phone call, 'hey I've been in a crash,' our mind pretty much goes to the worst-case scenario," Trooper Cameron Bottema said.
Harless and the driver of the Honda Civic were both taken to a local hospital with injuries sustained as a result of the crash.
Over the course of the investigation, ISP said troopers developed probable cause to believe the driver of the Honda Civic was intoxicated. The driver submitted a blood draw, per state law, and the results are pending.
ISP said Harless has been released from the hospital and is resting at home. However, the driver of the Civic is still in the hospital.
This isn't the first time a state trooper was involved in a crash like this. The department says at least 10 troopers or their vehicles were struck on Indianapolis interstates this year.
In January 2024, Trooper Azariah Keith was helping a stranded motorist change a flat tire, when a drunk driver hit and injured him.
Bottema said these crashes serve as a reminder of the dangers of drunk driving.
"There are so many options for getting home safely," Bottema said. "If you are going to drink, absolutely do not drive. Not only are the troopers lives in danger, but so are the lives of every single person on the roadway."
Indiana State Police say to stop crashes like these, they have upped patrols and are working with other agencies to keep Indy's roads safe.