Weather, traffic takes toll on O-H-P Troopers

(Tulsa-AP) -- The icy roads that made driving hazardous in recent weeks is taking a toll on the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

In the past two weeks, seven O-H-P patrol cars have been hit by motorists and three troopers seriously injured.

Trooper Pete Norwood says the fear of a car in traffic is greater than that of being shot.

Trooper Gordon Manning remains in critical condition in a Texarkana, Texas, hospital after being struck by a pickup Tuesday night. Manning was directing traffic around an accident when he was hit.

Trooper Keith Wilkerson is recovering at home from injuries suffered when his parked patrol car was hit on December 20th.

Norwood says trooper Mike Cassingham has recovered from injuries he suffered when his car was totaled by another vehicle that slid on the ice.

Norwood says some drivers are just not being careful while passing troopers who have someone pulled over.