“In serious condition” — 3 troopers now struck by drivers in under a month

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Following an incident Tuesday morning, three troopers with the SC Highway Patrol have been struck by vehicles in just under one month while performing traffic stops.

Master Trooper Wayne LaBounty was hit by a vehicle Tuesday morning while conducting a traffic stop near Augusta Road and Lost Branch Road.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department reports that a Lexington County Deputy pulled over to assist LaBounty when investigators say a vehicle struck the deputy’s car, the car that had been pulled over by the trooper, and the trooper himself.

A law enforcement Veteran of over 40 years, LaBounty was airlifted to a hospital and currently remains in serious condition  according to the SC Highway Patrol.

Tuesday morning’s incident follows the death of Trooper Dennis Ricks on August 10th who was struck by a box truck and died from his injuries just a few days later. Trooper Mitchell Williams Jr.was struck by a vehicle’s mirror on Sunday. He survived and was treated for minor injuries.

Master Deputy Benjamin Arrowood with Richland County’s Traffic Safety Unit says SC now has two laws in place to help prevent an officer, firefighter, paramedic, or tow truck driver from being struck.

The first is the “Move Over Law.”

“If you can’t merge over, you need to reduce that speed. There’s certain circumstances where if you’re on a two lane road you can’t merge into another lane because you’ll be going into oncoming traffic. Reduce your speed. If you do have the capability, if you’re on a four lane road, or two in one same direction, you want to go to the opposite side where that actual police vehicle is or EMS vehicle is to give them enough space to work safely,” says Arrowood.

The next is SC’s new “Hands Free Law” to prevent distracted driving.

“If you’re too busy looking at your phone, looking at what someone sent you in a text message, I’ve had people tell me they’ve pulled people over for looking at TikTok while driving down the road, that’s not safe, and you’re not going to be able to see what’s going on in front of you when something like that happens. Definitely put the phone down, wait until we get to our destination, use hands free so we get there safely and aren’t putting anyone in danger,” says Arrowood.

And if you get pulled over, or have to change a flat tire, or pull off of the road for any reason, officers say to put a safe distance between your vehicle and the highway.

“If you pull off to the right side of the road if there’s a grassy area, not just breaking that fog line, go a little further, go over another 10-15 feet if you can so it’s safer for you and that officer that’s pulling you over,” says Arrowood.

Should you need assistance on the highway, always remember you can call 911 or *HP for assistance.

Serve & Connect has set up a fundraiser for Master Trooper LaBounty, where all the proceeds will go towards his family.

If you would like to donate, click here.