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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah Highway Patrol trooper remained in extremely critical condition Saturday after being struck by a vehicle, authorities said.
Trooper Eric Ellsworth of Brigham City was struck Friday night by a car while attempting to slow traffic in Garland because of a problem with a power line. The officer's injuries were life-threatening, Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce said.
Garland is about 70 miles north of Salt Lake City.
Ellsworth was struck by a car after he stepped out of his vehicle to warn a truck driver about sagging power lines in the area, Royce said. "This is a tragedy," he said.
No other injuries were reported, and Royce said the car's driver, a teenage girl, stopped at the scene.
"It's tough on her. It's tough on everybody that's involved. It was tough on witnesses," Royce said of the driver. "It's just a sad situation all the way around."
Ellsworth was hospitalized at the Intermountain Medical Center in metro Salt Lake City after being flown from a local hospital near the accident site.
The Box Elder County Sheriff's Office will investigate the crash.
Ellsworth has been a trooper for seven years, and his father is a now-retired trooper. Ellsworth is married, and he and his wife have three young sons.
Ellsworth was the second Utah police officer struck by a vehicle this month.
On Nov. 6, West Valley police Officer Cody Brotherson was struck and killed by a vehicle that was fleeing from officers during a pursuit.
Royce reminded drivers to give law enforcement officers plenty of space while they are working on roadways.
"Traffic is a danger," he said. "It's scary out there."
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