An Indiana State Trooper is recovering from injuries sustained this morning when his car was struck by an alleged drunk driver. At approximately 4:07 a.m. Trooper Keith Martin and off duty Fortville Police Officer Lee Carnish were on the scene of a jackknifed semi on I-465 eastbound near Allisonville Road. While blocking the lane with his car, emergency lights on, he was rear-ended by a pick-up truck. Trooper Martin sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries in the crash and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Officer Carnish’s police vehicle was also collected in the wreckage, he was uninjured.
The driver of the pick-up truck, 21 year old Juan Cuatlacuatl of Indianapolis showed signs of impairment, he was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing injury.
Fortville Officer Carnish happened upon the crashed semi while off duty, he remained on scene to assist Trooper Martin with the crash investigation and traffic control.
Trooper Martin has been released from the hospital and is home recovering. This crash marks the 3rd time in his four year career that he has been struck and injured by an impaired driver.
ISP Indianapolis District Commander Lt. Josh Watson has a simple message. “Please stop crashing into our first responders.”
This arrest is based upon probable cause of a crime, all crimes mentioned are alleged and all suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
