Oregon State Police Trooper Struck, Injured by Commercial Truck

Highway conditions of spots of ice were reported for that area at the time of the accident.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(PENDLETON) - An Oregon State Police trooper's condition is improving after he was injured Wednesday afternoon when he and his patrol car were struck by a commercial truck on eastbound Interstate 84 about ten miles east of Pendleton. 30-year-old Trooper Timothy Zinn remains at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, Washington, and information this morning indicates he expected to make a full recovery. At approximately 1:15 PM, OSP Trooper Zinn arrived on scene of a spun out pickup towing a trailer eastbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 220. The trooper was reportedly outside of his patrol car parked on the inside shoulder area with overhead emergency lights activated when an eastbound commercial truck lost control and struck the patrol car. The trooper was also struck. After impact, the commercial truck crashed into the pickup and travel trailer that Trooper Zinn was assisting. The pickup driver is identified as 46-year-old John Sherrill, from Galena, Kansas. He was inside the pickup at the time of the crash, received minors injuries, and was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital. The truck driver, 56-year-old Curtis Hoots, from Philomath, was not injured. Trooper Zinn suffered serious injuries and was initially transported to St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton. From there, he was transported by Med Star air ambulance to the Tri-Cities area hospital. Zinn has been with OSP for two years assigned in the Patrol Services Division. Oregon State Police troopers from the Pendleton Area Command office are continuing the investigation. No enforcement action has been taken at this time. Umatilla Tribal Police, Umatilla Tribal Fire Department, ODOT and other local emergency responders assisted.