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CA truck driver cited in connection crash into Trooper’s vehicle

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July 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

In a follow-up to our story earlier this week, officials say a truck driver from California was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Failure to Move over for a Patrol Car, following an investigation into Monday’s crash on Interstate 80 in Adair County, that sent a State Patrol Trooper to the hospital. In information released late Tuesday, the Patrol said 59-year old Michael Patrick O’Hara, of Hesperia, CA, was cited.

O’Hara, who was driving a 2013 Volvo semi registered to Hill Brothers Transportation, of Omaha, was traveling west in the right hand lane of I-80 area around 10:17-a.m. Monday, when he became distracted, looked up and saw traffic in front of him slowing for an earlier accident being covered by Iowa State Patrol Trooper Todd Granner. O’Hara slammed on his brakes, which caused the semi to lose control.

The rig crossed both lanes of traffic and struck the left rear corner of Granner’s 2009 Ford Crown Victoria cruiser, which was parked in the left, westbound lane of traffic with its emergency lights activated. After the cruiser was hit, the semi struck a cable guard rail and came to rest in the median. The accident happened near the 89.2-mile marker.

Trooper Granner was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital to be checked for injuries before being released. Damage from the crash amounted to $11,000.