Published: December 14, 2007 11:10 pm      

Trooper injured by alleged drunken driver

A Kentucky State Police Trooper was struck Thursday allegedly by a drunk driver while the trooper was stopped at a stop sign.

While on duty, Trooper Toby Coyle, 31, of Richmond, was waiting to turn onto Boggs Lane from the Lowe's parking lot about 10:50 p.m. when he was struck. Driving a Ford truck, 26-year-old Brian King, of Richmond, attempted to turn in to the parking lot, striking Coyle’s cruiser with enough force to deploy the air bag, said KSP Trooper Chris Lanham.

“He hit him offset,” Lanham said. “It wasn’t totally head on. He hit him on the driver's side front bumper.”

Both vehicles sustained severe damage and Coyle suffered multiple injuries in the crash, including head, left knee, lower back, right shoulder, neck and left hand and finger injuries. He was treated and released from Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center.

“His hand was in position on the steering wheel when the airbag deployed,” Lanham said. “There weren’t any amputations, but a lot of times what happens when the air bag deploys is it will throw your hand back into your own face, causing some injuries. He called in today and he will probably be off for a couple weeks. He has some bruising and significant soreness.”

King allegedly was drunk, but Lanham did not have information about King’s blood alcohol level on Friday. King did not suffer any injuries.

“We think he just misjudged the clearance,” Lanham said. “He just cut it too close and it is obvious to us his impairment caused him to misjudge his clearance.”

King is charged with improper turning, first-degree driving under the influence of alcohol (aggravated), having an open container, first-degree failure of owner to maintain insurance, failure to wear a seat belt, failure to produce insurance card, failure to give right of way to an oncoming vehicle, failure to notify Kentucky Department of Transportation of address change and first-degree assault on a police officer. He is lodged in the Madison County Detention Center on a $10,000 cash bond.

Kelly Foreman can be reached at kforeman@richmondregister.com or 624-6694.