Trooper car hit on I-40, woman charged in connection to crash

A car involved in a previous crash was disabled in the highway near Aviation Parkway and had to be moved with a tow truck. One trooper was training another when a car driven by Sydney Neilson Torrel, 28, of Southern Pines, struck the squad car from behind.

Torrel was charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving, misdemeanor child abuse, a child restraint violation and failure to reduce speed.

State Highway Patrol officials said a 5-year-old girl was in Torrel's car and wasn't wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred.

Both troopers were taken to Duke University Hospital with minor injuries and released a few hours later.

Torrel and the child were also taken to Duke Hospital with injuries and were stable condition.