The driver of an SUV lost control his vehicle and slammed into the car of a Virginia State Trooper this morning.
It happened at mile post 152 in Dumfries at 3:30 a.m. The trooper was sitting in his patrol car running radar, where the old I-95 HOV lanes use to merge with the southbound travel lanes of I-95. A 2000 Ford Explorer traveling south overturned and slid off the left side of the highway and crashed into the troopers car, said Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.
Trooper I.J. Dallam was taken to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center for treatment of serious but non-life threatening injuries, said Geller. He was later released from the hospital.
The driver of the SUV is 23-year-old Corey A. Saenz, of Quantico, according to police. He suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment.
Saenz is charged with reckless driving. Police said speed is a factor in the crash.
Dallam lives in Prince William County. When he graduated last year from the 122nd Basic School at the Virginia State Police Training Academy he was voted president of his class – one of only three class officers from the training group.
Dallam joined Virginia State Police after a 21-year career in the U.S. Marines where he earned medals for Meritorious Service, Defense Meritorious Service, as well as Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, and four Navy Achievement medals.
