A South Dakota State Trooper, and native of Elk Horn, Iowa, has left the hospital after spending more than eight-weeks recovering from traumatic brain injury that occurred when a suspected drunk or impaired driver he was pursuing, tried to run him over. Television Station KELO reports Trooper Andrew Steen went home Friday.

Trooper Andrew Steen leaves the hospital (Photo via Facebook/KELO)

The incident which caused his injuries occurred at a Sioux Falls, SD strip mall on Oct. 17th. In addition to the brain injury, Steen suffered a severely broken ankle.

He hobbled out of the hospital with the assistance of crutches and into a waiting vehicle, but stopped to thank everyone who had been praying for him, and sending well wishes over the past eight weeks. Dozens of South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers waited at the hospital to escort the Steen family home. The head of the Highway Patrol, Col. Craig Price,  says he looks forward to having Steen back on duty.

During the first few weeks of his hospitalization, Steen’s parents weren’t sure if their son would ever be able to walk, talk or even function on his own again. Family credits prayer, the doctors and an outpouring of support from the community for the trooper’s quick recovery. A Facebook page “Praying for Andrew Steen” set up to follow his progress, has garnered more than 13,600 “Like” since its inception.