Trooper released from hospital after struck by driver under influence

Photo of Senior Trooper Williams Courtesy: SCHP

RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WOLO) –According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, 35-year-old Alex Bookert was arrested after Senior Trooper Mitchell Williams, Jr. was hit on a traffic stop early Sunday morning.

Photo courtesy: RCSD

Around 12:15 a.m., RCSD was called to an accident with injuries involving a South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper. Once on scene, deputies say they learned the trooper was on a traffic stop on I-77 N near mile marker eight when he was struck by a truck, hauling an enclosed trailer.

Deputies say Bookert ran off the side of the road into the median and struck Senior Trooper Williams with the driver’s side mirror.

Deputies say the vehicle stopped and the driver was identified as Bookert. Bookert showed signs of impairment and was arrested for DUI and Endangering Emergency Services Personnel.

He was taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and is awaiting a bond hearing.

Trooper Williams was transported to Prisma Health Richland for evaluation and treatment and has since been released.