Virginia state trooper killed 1-29

[Darin]

A veteran state trooper was fatally injured early today when he apparently was dragged more than a tenth of a mile by a motorist he stopped on an Interstate 64 exit ramp near Gaskins Road.

Trooper Michael Blanton, who was one of the department's top DUI enforcement officers, was pronounced dead about 4 a.m. at Medical College of Virginia Hospitals.

State police said Blanton stopped a 2000 BMW rental vehicle for speeding about 2:30 a.m. on the westbound I-64 exit ramp the leads to northbound Gaskins Road. Henrico police received a call a short time later about a BMW that had crashed on Gaskins.

When police arrived, they discovered the wrecked vehicle and the injured trooper. A man, apparently the driver of the BMW, was found at a service station about a quarter mile away and tried to flee when approached by a Henrico officer. He also had been injured.

Police are still investigating the cir***stances of the stop but sources said it appeared Blanton had been dragged by the car he had stopped.


As a side note guys, this wasn't even on the front page. It was the second page of the second part of the paper. :( :mad:

[vadep]

Suspect, a 34 year old male, has been caught. His charges include 2nd degree murder, but the investigation is ongoing.

http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/F...1302003/865214

Although I didn't "know" Trooper Blanton, I had the pleasure of meeting him once, and my prayers are with his family.