A Missouri Highway Patrol trooper was struck while conducting a traffic stop in Kansas City, Missouri, according to reports. The incident occurred at about 12 a.m. on the inside, or left, shoulder of northbound I-35 north of Missouri 210. The Missouri Highway Patrol described the matter as a serious-injury crash involving a trooper. Its Major Crash Investigation Unit is investigating. The available report does not identify how the trooper was struck or provide additional information about the injuries. What Makes This Incident Different A traffic stop on an interstate shoulder places an officer in a uniquely exposed position. The report places this incident on the left shoulder of northbound I-35, an area beside active highway traffic rather than a separated work area. This is also a crash involving a law-enforcement officer who was performing official duties at the time, according to the report. That can make it important to preserve information from the traffic stop itself, as well as evidence relating to the crash. The investigation—not assumptions—will determine what happened and whether any additional legal claims may be available. Questions Investigators May Examine The Missouri Highway Patrol’s Major Crash Investigation Unit is already investigating this serious-injury collision. Investigators may examine conditional questions such as: - What was occurring during the traffic stop when the trooper was hit? - Where were the people and vehicles involved positioned on the left shoulder and roadway? - What information may show the sequence of events before, during, and immediately after the collision? - Were there witnesses who may be able to describe what they observed? - Do agency records, dispatch information, or available video help clarify the circumstances? These are questions, not conclusions. The evidence will determine whether another person or entity bears legal responsibility for the trooper’s injuries. Evidence That May Need to Be Preserved Serious highway crashes can produce evidence that is lost quickly. A prompt review may help an injured person protect material relevant to an insurance claim or possible civil case. Depending on what exists, useful evidence may include: - The Missouri Highway Patrol crash-investigation file and any related reports - Dispatch recordings and communications connected to the traffic stop - Video from dash cameras, body cameras, nearby traffic systems, or private vehicles - Photographs of the roadway, left shoulder, vehicle positions, and visible damage - Statements and contact information from witnesses - Vehicle data, inspection materials, and repair or preservation records, if applicable - Medical records documenting the diagnosis, treatment, limitations, and anticipated care needs - Employment and wage records showing time missed from work or changes in earning capacity Preservation requests may be important because recordings, vehicle data, and other materials can be overwritten, altered, or discarded in the ordinary course of business. What Families Should Know A serious injury can affect far more than immediate medical treatment. Families may face questions about ongoing care, household responsibilities, income, insurance communications, and the availability of benefits. Keeping a clear record of medical appointments, expenses, work impacts, and communications can be helpful. In Missouri, an injured person generally has five years to bring many personal-injury claims, although the applicable deadline can depend on the facts and the parties involved. Waiting can make it harder to locate witnesses and preserve video or physical evidence. A lawyer can evaluate the particular circumstances and explain which deadlines may apply. Because the reported injured person was a trooper on duty, benefit issues and any potential claim against a third party may involve different processes. An attorney can help distinguish between available employment-related benefits, insurance matters, and a possible claim arising from the crash, without assuming that any claim will succeed. How Dunk Law Can Help Dunk Law represents people and families dealing with serious Missouri vehicle-collision injuries. In a highway shoulder crash involving an officer during a traffic stop, our team can review the known facts, seek preservation of relevant crash and video evidence, assess insurance and potential third-party issues, and explain the options that may be available. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in a Missouri traffic crash, contact Dunk Law for a focused review of the circumstances and the next practical steps. Related Dunk Law Resources - All practice areas This post is based on publicly available news reports and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice.