Trooper struck by truck in Garner

Garner, N.C. — A state trooper was injured Monday morning while helping a stranded motorist change a tire, the North Carolina Highway Patrol said.

A black Dodge Ram pickup truck struck Sgt. Gerry Mouzon, 49, and his cruiser at about 10:30 a.m. near U.S. Highway 50 and Timber Drive in Garner, Patrol spokesman Capt. Everett Clendenin said.

WATCH VIDEO
Truck hits state trooper

Mouzon was taken to WakeMed with serious bruises but no broken bones. He was treated and released from the hospital later Tuesday.

"He's always been known as a hard worker, dedicated trooper, and it didn't surprise any of us that he was trying to help someone out there on the highway today," Clendenin said. "He was passing by and saw somebody that needed help, and he stopped."

The truck's driver said he was traveling in the opposite direction of where the car was when he lost control of his vehicle, overcorrected and hit the gas instead of the brake.

Garner police are handling the investigation, and charges are have not been ruled out.

Mouzon, who has been with the Highway Patrol since 1983, has expressed a desire to retire this spring, Clendenin said.

Another state trooper was also involved in a weather-related wreck Tuesday, but he was not injured. Master Trooper J.C. Manning was investigating an accident on Interstate 40 in Wake County when another driver lost control and struck him from behind.