High-Speed Collision on Route 220: Police Patrol Car Struck While Assisting Motorist
- BTW21
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
HENRY COUNTY, Va. (BTW21) — Virginia State Police (VSP) are investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred Sunday night on Route 220, involving a state police patrol vehicle and a 2013 Toyota Highlander.
The incident took place at approximately 9:05 p.m., two-tenths of a mile south of Route 609 in Henry County.
According to VSP, the state police patrol vehicle was stopped in the right travel lane on the southbound side of the highway, with its emergency lights activated.
The trooper was assisting a disabled motorist at the time of the crash.
As the patrol vehicle was stationary, a 2013 Toyota Highlander, traveling southbound in the right lane, collided with the rear of the police vehicle.
Fortunately, the trooper was not inside the patrol vehicle when it was struck, VSP confirmed.
The driver of the Toyota, identified as William J. Likins, 58, of Oakland, Maryland, was injured in the collision and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
VSP said that Likins was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The trooper and the driver of the disabled vehicle, who were both standing outside of their vehicles near the guardrail, also sustained minor injuries.
VSP stated that both individuals were able to avoid more serious harm by diving over the guardrail to escape the impact of the crash.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation, but authorities emphasize the importance of driving cautiously, especially when approaching emergency vehicles with their lights flashing.
VSP reminds all motorists to be vigilant and adhere to Virginia’s "Move Over" law, which requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when passing emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
The investigation is ongoing.
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