Governor: North Carolina trooper intentionally hit by ATV in China Grove
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- During a news conference on Saturday, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory said people on an all-terrain vehicle intentionally hit a Highway Patrol Trooper in Rowan County.
The governor said it happened around 2 a.m. Saturday in a subdivision in China Grove, WGHP reports.
The state trooper said he saw two ATVs on N.C. 153 in the travel lanes and tried to pull them over.
The trooper put on his lights and the ATVs pulled into a China Grove neighborhood. He got out of his vehicle and approached them.
One of the ATV operators then intentionally drove toward the trooper at a high rate of speed and hit him, according to McCrory.
The ATV operator then tried to turn around and strike the trooper again but the trooper fired his service weapon, causing the two operators to flee, according to WGHP.
"It was inexcusable behavior by the individuals that hit this trooper," said Governor McCrory.
The trooper had serious but non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital in Concord.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information can call the Highway Patrol Communications Center at (800) 233-3151.
