INDIANA TROOPER RECOVERING AFTER TOLL ROAD CRASH

Blowing and drifting snow caused serious problems on the Indiana Toll Road Sunday, including one accident that involved an Indiana State Police Trooper. Senior Trooper Tim McCormick, 34, was hit by a semi-truck while helping a driver in LaPorte County. Trooper McCormick remained at LaPorte Hospital Sunday night. Doctors say he has a serious concussion, but his condition is improving. He's expected to be released Monday.

His accident remains a stark reminder though of just how quickly blowing and drifting snow can turn deadly. That's why troopers are using his story as a wake up call for others on the road. By Sunday afternoon, many roads across Michiana were beginning to clear, but drivers were still encountering some serious problems. "It's very slippery," said one. "It's very scary!"

"It was definitely dicey getting on the highway," said another, traveling on the Toll Road from Chicago to Michigan. "It was a mess."

Police across the area reported dozens of minor slide-offs. Plow crews and tow trucks did all they could to keep up. An overturned semi-truck on the Toll Road at mile marker 65 near the St. Joseph County-LaPorte County line backed up traffic for more than 5 miles late in the afternoon. The driver hit a patch of black ice, and then was rear-ended by an SUV. No one was seriously hurt.

But the twisted tires, trunks and bumpers of Trooper McCormick's car at mile marker 54 near the State Road 39 exit tell a much different story of a split second battle.

Investigators say the 12-year veteran officer stopped there just after 12:30 p.m. E.S.T. to help Alan and Mitzi Dimmers, whose minivan slid off into a ditch. He had just climbed back into his cruiser to call a tow truck when he was hit by a semi-truck driven by Muharrrem Martinaj. Martinaj drives for L.P. Express based out of Paffaic, New Jersey.

"It appears as though the semi was passing the other traffic and then he saw Senior Trooper McCormick's lights on, hit his brakes, and then jackknifed," said Indiana State Police Trooper K. Madison Carter. "[The truck] rear-ended Senior Trooper McCormick, pushing him down into the embankment and into the minivan."

The violent collision left Trooper McCormick unconscious. Emergency crews had to cut him out of the car, then rushed him to LaPorte Hospital.

Those who serve by his side held their breath. "The first thing you think to yourself is, 'Is he OK?' The next thing you think is, it's time to go to work," said Trooper Carter. "We understood there was a crash investigation that needed to take place. You focus on getting the job done, because you want to make sure it's done right. Especially when you know one of your brothers is involved."

And it didn't take long for the news of McCormick's injuries to travel back. The worst of it -- a concussion. A Toll Road post sergeant says McCormick has no broken bones.It's the news his brothers were waiting for. Now, they're awaiting his return and giving thanks for a miracle that didn't slip away.

"Trooper McCormick was doing exactly what he was called to do. He was doing his job right," said Trooper Carter. "I completely expect him to be back doing it again."

Martinaj was ticketed for driving too fast under poor road conditions. His truck sustained about $15,000 in damage, but never overturned or spilled the load of mail it was carrying. Both the minivan and McCormick's car were totaled. Troopers are still asking drivers to slow down, brake gently and give extra room between vehicles, even if the road looks clear. It's a simple step that just might help save a life.