A Virginia State Police trooper sustained severe injuries when a vehicle collided with a patrol car on U.S. Highway 29 in Pittsylvania County on Saturday afternoon.

The crash took place shortly after 2 p.m. as two officers were assisting with a broken-down tractor-trailer in the highway’s southbound lane. According to the state police report, Raul Jesus Salas was driving a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser when it hit the back of a patrol vehicle. The impact caused the patrol car to hit one of the officers and another patrol vehicle.

The injured trooper was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he is being treated for significant injuries. Fortunately, the other officer was unharmed.

Emergency lights on both patrol vehicles were activated, and the vehicles were strategically placed in the right travel lane to shield the disabled tractor-trailer.

Raul Jesus Salas, 74, of Gretna, was charged with reckless driving following the accident. The incident remains under investigation by authorities.