HANCOCK COUNTY — An off-duty Indiana State Police trooper was transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries Tuesday night after his vehicle was struck by a car whose driver was suspected of being impaired.
Off-duty ISP Master Trooper Scott McPheeters was driving on I-70 eastbound near the 112-mile marker in a construction zone at 8:28 p.m. July 6 when another eastbound vehicle struck his vehicle, according to a news release from the state police.
After the collision, the driver of the other vehicle — 47-year-old Jennifer Coomer of Greenfield — attempted to flee the scene on foot and was suspected of being impaired. When other troopers arrived, Coomer allegedly became combative and resisted arrest before being taken into custody and transported to an area hospital for injuries from the crash. McPheeters was also transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The preliminary investigation revealed Coomer was driving on the emergency shoulder, illegally passing traffic in a single-lane construction zone. She struck the right rear of McPheeters’ police car and then struck a guardrail. Investigating officers believe Coomer was impaired at the time of the crash. She was arrested on preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated causing injury, resisting arrest and battery on a law enforcement officer.
All crimes mentioned above are alleged and preliminary charges are probable cause for arrest. All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. Blood test results for intoxication are pending.
McPheeters is a 19-year ISP veteran and is assigned to the Pendleton Post, where he serves as a detective.
