BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Two Morgan County first responders received commendations from Morgan County Sheriff KC Bohrer Wednesday for their response following a crash that injured a West Virginia State Police Trooper.
On March 26th, WVSP Cpl. J.A. Padilla was injured when his cruiser struck the back of a dump truck that was not equipped with working tail lights on Cacapon Road.
Deputy Brad Knotts had worked a call with the trooper earlier in the evening and said he knew Padilla was in trouble:
Morgan County EMT Zach Scott talked about coming up on the scene of the crash:
After rendering aid, Deputy Knotts had to deal with one suspect on scene and another who had fled on foot:
Sheriff Bohrer, who presenting the commendations before a packed audience in the Morgan County Commission chambers Wednesday, said with the shape of the trooper’s vehicle after the accident, the outcome could have been much worse.
For EMT Scott, it was a matter of doing what he had been trained to do:
West Virginia State Police Sergeant SR Smith said he could not say much about Trooper Padilla’s injuries, but he said he is currently off work without a projected return date as of now, but he is expected to make a full recovery.
The driver, Carleton W. Vangosen, 42 was arrested and faces charges related to impaired driving and possession of fentanyl.
The passenger, Nick Kidwell, was located at Pop’s Lane, at least three miles from the location of Padilla’s cruiser, according to an initial report in The Morgan Messenger.
