Posted at: 11/27/2009 10:44 PM
By: Jill Kasparie

Alleged Drunk Driver Hits State Patrol Car

(ABC 6 News) - State troopers are often on the outside looking in when it comes to accidents. But one local trooper almost became the victim of an alleged drunk driver this holiday weekend. ABC 6 News reporter Jill Kasparie talked to the trooper and shows us just how close it came to bing a much different story.

Thanksgiving was a dangerous day out on patrol for State Trooper Sam Catlin. Around 3 am, he was conducting a drunk driving stop along Highway 52 when something happened that he never expected.

"I never thought i'd be the one hit by a drunk driver on the road," says Catlin.

Here's a look from a dashboard cam. A vehicle driven by 25-year-old Holly Berg of Rochester hits Catlin's vehicle. You can see it shaking.

"From where i was sitting it looked like she was flying" says Catlin.

Berg's vehicle side-swiped the patrol vehicle and as you can see the impact caused about three thousand dollars worth of damage. But that didn't stop Catlin from doing his duty... he takes off as soon as the initial shock wears off.

"I saw the vehicle speed by me and when I saw the vehicle speed by, I realized I had been hit by a driver and I needed to stop that car as soon as possible" says Catlin.

He was able to stop the car, which also suffered quite a bit of damage as seen in these pictures. And he says he's glad he prevented another accident.

"This driver could have killed someone very easily" says Catlin.

After the close call, this young Trooper says he's on a personal mission to stop impaired drivers.

"I see a lot of innocent people hurt by drunk drivers and that motivates me quite a bit, but this is a pretty big motivating factor too, to be sitting on the side of the road with all my lights going and still get hit" says Catlin.

Jill Kasparie, ABC 6 News.

The Trooper says he wasn't hurt in any way. Berg is charged with 3rd degree DWI and authorities say more charges could follow.