Mike Bergazzi Executive Producer

September 2, 2010
AMELIA COUNTY—
Update: 9/2/10 6:46 pm

The Virginia State Trooper is recovering after being hit by a man investigators say was driving under the influence and going the wrong way on Route 360 in Amelia County Wednesday night.

State police say Senior Trooper T.C. Smith was in his patrol car with his K-9 when he was hit. Butch Handy lives near the crash site and says, "I hear a big bump and my mom said, 'Oh my God.'"

Hardy walked out of his house and saw the crash scene, but that's not all he saw. Handy says, "All the cops had all their guns drawn, I was like, 'Oh My Lord.'"

Police arrested 51-year-old Larry D. Brown of Chase City, and CBS 6 confirms that he is a Senior Corrections Officer for the Powhatan Correctional Facility.

State police say they believe alcohol contributed to the crash and even found several alcohol-related items in the car, including an empty bottle of Thunderbird.

Minutes before the crash, frantic calls to 911 began coming in to both the Amelia and Nottoway County Sheriff's Offices from other drivers on 360.

The car side swiped the troopers car and came to a stop about 50 yards away. Brown was airlifted to VCU Medical Center, he's charged with driving under the influence.

The trooper and his dog were treated and released.

Original Post: 9/1/10 11:45pm

Virginia State Police are still investigating an overnight crash in Amelia County on Route 360.

Sgt. Thomas Molnar with Virginia State Police said 51-year old, Larry Brown of Chase City, VA was traveling from Nottoway County in the wrong direction.

According to police, Nottoway County officials contacted Amelia Sheriff's Deputies and State Police asking them to be on the lookout for Brown after receiving a number of 911 calls from other drivers.

Brown was intoxicated and seriously injured. Sgt. Molnar said Brown was flown by Med-flight to VCU Medical Center where he remains this morning. Brown is charged with driving under the influence.

The Trooper, T.C. Smith was wearing his seatbelt and was not seriously injured. Smith was released from the hospital.