The State Trooper injured in an auto accident on the Thurway in Pembroke on Saturday has been identified as Nina Johnson.
Johnson, who was taken via Mercy Flight to ECMC, was released from the hospital Saturday evening.
The Trooper was involved in traffic control following a fatal accident on the Thurway just hours prior.
Her patrol vehicle was reportedly struck by an SUV driven by Catherine A. Manahan, 27, of Williamsville.
That accident took the life of Julie I. Stratton, 33, of Synder, whose car became disabled in the fast lane after striking a deer. A tractor-trailer then ran into her car. She was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Buffalo News, state police have yet to decide whether to file charges against the truck driver, Thomas M. Wallace, 45, of Brook Park, Ohio.
“We’re still investigating it to see if there was some distracted driving involved,” Harris said. “We’re looking at why [Wallace] didn’t perceive the vehicle in front of him.”
State police noted that other drivers were able to avoid hitting Stratton’s disabled car in the minutes before the crash.
Stratton was married and had two sons, ages 1 and 3.
