PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — A Virginia State Police trooper was seriously injured Saturday afternoon after being pinned between two patrol vehicles during a crash in Pittsylvania County.

The crash happened shortly after 2 p.m. in the 35000 block of U.S. Highway 29 near the Hurt community.

State Police told rbs news now that two troopers were stopped on the southbound side of U.S. 29 assisting a disabled truck.

The troopers were outside of their vehicles when the rear patrol vehicle was struck by a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser going south on U.S. 29.

The impact forced the patrol vehicle forward, striking the patrol vehicle in front of it.

Police said the troopers were standing between the vehicles at the time of the crash.

One of the troopers was caught between them and sustained serious injuries.

The injured trooper was airlifted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital after a medical helicopter landed on the highway.

The second trooper was not hurt.

Both patrol vehicles had their emergency lights activated and were partially in the right travel lane to protect the disabled tractor-trailer.

The driver of the Chrysler, identified as 74-year-old Raul Jesus Salas of Gretna, was charged with reckless driving.

Responding agencies included the Hurt Volunteer Fire Department, Gretna Fire and EMS, Pittsylvania County Public Safety, Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The incident remains under investigation.

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