In south St. Louis County, Missouri, then-Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Jeremy Potocki was seriously hurt in a 2014 collision that occurred while he was conducting a traffic stop, according to a recent news report. Potocki said he had stopped a driver during Memorial Day weekend after noticing an odor of alcohol. Potocki said he asked the stopped driver to move away from the vehicles, and that another allegedly impaired driver struck them 47 seconds later. The report says the collision was recorded by Potocki’s dash camera. Potocki survived. The report identifies a broken L5 vertebra, a bone chip in his neck, and a traumatic brain injury. He described years of physical therapy and lasting cognitive effects, including limited memories of the period from 2014 to about 2020. The report does not provide a complete account of the crash investigation, and the evidence would determine the circumstances and any legal responsibility. What Makes This Incident Different This was not an ordinary roadside stop. Potocki was outside his patrol vehicle while dealing with another driver when the reported impact occurred. Roadside encounters can leave officers, motorists, passengers, and other people on foot exposed to traffic with little time or room to react. The reported traumatic brain injury also makes this matter distinct. Brain injuries may affect memory, concentration, mood, communication, and a person’s ability to work or manage daily life. As Potocki’s account illustrates, the most serious effects may continue long after fractures or other visible injuries begin to heal. The report further states that a dash camera captured the event. Video can be especially important in a crash involving a traffic stop because it may preserve the positions of people and vehicles and the sequence leading to the impact. Questions Investigators May Examine Investigators may examine the following questions without assuming an answer: - What may video, witness accounts, and physical evidence show about how the collision unfolded? - Where were the patrol vehicle, the stopped vehicle, Potocki, and the other driver when the impact occurred? - What may records clarify about the actions of the driver accused in the report of impairment? - Did visibility, traffic conditions, roadway layout, or vehicle movements play a role? - What may medical documentation show about the immediate and longer-term consequences of the reported spinal, neck, and brain injuries? A criminal arrest or allegation, if one exists, does not by itself resolve a civil injury claim. Likewise, the existence of a serious injury does not automatically establish fault. Investigators, insurers, and courts must rely on the available evidence. Evidence That May Need to Be Preserved Evidence can disappear quickly after a traffic collision. Depending on what exists, preservation may be important for: - Dash-camera, body-camera, traffic-camera, business-camera, or nearby residential video - Photographs of vehicle damage, the roadside area, debris, markings, and sight lines - Law-enforcement reports, dispatch audio, call logs, and records connected to the traffic stop - Statements and contact information from people who saw or heard the collision - Vehicle inspection information and available electronic vehicle data - Medical records, imaging, therapy records, rehabilitation documentation, and records of cognitive treatment - Employment records and other materials documenting time away from work or changes in earning ability - Personal notes from the injured person or family describing symptoms, treatment, and day-to-day limitations Families should avoid altering, repairing, or discarding relevant property before they understand whether it may be needed. An attorney can send preservation requests when appropriate, but the particular evidence will determine what is useful. What Families Should Know A serious crash can create overlapping medical, financial, and insurance issues. People coping with a traumatic brain injury may need support coordinating care, tracking bills, and documenting how symptoms affect work and family life. Keeping records organized can help a family understand the full impact of an injury. In Missouri, a person injured by another party’s negligence may have a civil claim for losses such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering when the evidence supports it. The available claims, damages, insurance coverage, and filing deadlines depend on the facts. Deadlines can be strict, and they may differ based on the claim and parties involved. Speaking with a Missouri injury lawyer promptly can help preserve options without requiring a family to make immediate decisions about settlement. Insurance representatives may seek information soon after a crash. Families can ask for written communications, keep copies of anything submitted, and avoid guessing about medical recovery or the cause of a collision. A full prognosis may take time, particularly after a reported brain injury. How Dunk Law Can Help Dunk Law helps Missouri crash-injury clients and families evaluate claims involving severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal injuries. Our team can review the available facts, identify records that may need protection, communicate with insurers, and explain the next steps in plain English. If you or a family member was seriously harmed in a Missouri traffic collision, contact Dunk Law for a focused consultation about preserving evidence and understanding potential civil claims. Related Dunk Law Resources - Car accident claims - Catastrophic injury claims - Wrongful death claims This post is based on publicly available news reports and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice.