Snowy road conditions and wayward vehicles on Interstate 17 near Munds Park apparently led to an early morning accident Sunday that sent a Department of Public Safety officer to the hospital.
The officer was responding to an earlier accident on the northbound side of the highway at about 12:04 a.m. when he was injured, a DPS spokesman said, adding road conditions were icy and several vehicles became involved in a multi-vehicle pileup.
Other drivers also were hurt, but the officer had the most serious injuries. The officer, who wasn't identified, was rushed to a hospital in Flagstaff, about 20 miles north. The spokesman said Sunday that the officer was in stable condition.
Details on the vehicle that hit the officer and the number of other vehicles involved were not immediately available.
DPS closed the highway and did not reopen it until 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Further details were unavailable at press time.
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, December 04, 2009
Article comment by:
Andrea
First off, most sincere and best wishes to Officer Kenneth Henscheid for a speedy recovery. We're all pulling for you!
follow-up article
http://azdailysun.com/articles/2009/12/04/news/20091204_front_208646.txt
http://www.apsn.us/sound/dps.WAV
link to audio from radio call by Keith Shulko to DPS dispatcher
Posted: Thursday, December 03, 2009
Article comment by:
D. Bryant
My name is D. Bryant. I was the person who radioed the dispatcher for help. My family and I were the only car just past the accident able to leave after we carried the officer to the ambulance. The officer was wrapped in a blanket given to me as a gift (a purple, white and pink quilt). A black Dodge Charger that was stuck on the SB Shoulder was where I found the officer. He was stuck under the vehicle's driver's side back tire. I was the person calling for men to come help. No one even knew the officer had been struck by the tractor trailor except my me and my wife. We saw it when it happened, and are fortunate that we were not struck by the truck. We were the only car able to continue on SB I-17, because of where I stopped my car. I was just ahead of the Black Dodge Charger. We have not ceased to pray for the officer. I just kept saying to the officer, "You have a family you have to go home to." That is the code and Mantra of Law Enforcement Officers... "Make sure you go home every night to family." God is an awesome God. Thank you Lord for answering our prayers. Mr. H.J. Henshire, God Bless you and your family. May you have a speedy recovery.
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Lyle Wilhelm
Sir, thank you for putting your life on the line everyday. Have been thru 2 of these type of incidents with my family, thank you as well for supporting your Dad, Husband, Brother, and Son in doing the job he wants to do. Get well soon Sir, we need you back on the road doing the great job you all do.
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
It all happened very quickly. My parents were the first people on scene and were on the phone with 911 as cars were piling up. My dad was the one who radioed for help from the patrol car after getting the officer out from under the vehicle.
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Keep the freeways clear
I was on I-17 Northbound from about 8:00 until about 10:45 that night. It was a MESS!!! They should have closed it earlier, or had some plows out (I saw one in all that time, and it wasn't plowing the highway, it was plowing offramps). This winter's going to be pretty scary, what with ADOT and DPS cutbacks.
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
