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Trooper's quick thinking saves wrong way highway driver from death

GasBuddy Blog -- A Maine State Trooper's quick thinking this week saved several lives after he sacrificed his police vehicle to save the life of not just a wrong way driver, but a couple that was heading right for him, an event all caught on the trooper's on board video system.

It all started when Trooper Douglas Cropper stopped a truck on I-295 outside Portland, Maine this past week, then noticed a late model Toyota Corolla flying the wrong way down the highway with an 88 year old man at the wheel. Cropper immediately left the vehicle he had pulled over and started after the wrong way driver.

Cropper then got off the freeway to attempt to get ahead of the wrong way driver- but immediately noticed that construction was impeding the on-ramp...

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Submitted Jul 22, 2012 By: PD

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Robert44 Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,575 Points:1,219,065 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2012 9:31:44 AM Ignore Robert44 Report Abuse Outstanding job!!!!! Well done, the tropper should get a raise.
airforceram Rookie Author New York Posts:3 Points:25,485 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2012 2:42:08 AM Ignore airforceram Report Abuse Well done trooper cropper!
LiquidGold2011 Sophomore Author California Posts:101 Points:202,840 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 29, 2012 5:16:42 PM Ignore LiquidGold2011 Report Abuse The 88-year old driver should have his license revoked immediately!!
bluemama Rookie Author Tallahassee Posts:25 Points:13,500 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 27, 2012 7:41:27 PM Ignore bluemama Report Abuse Kudos to the trooper!!
Seversen Rookie Author South Dakota Posts:35 Points:201,525 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jul 26, 2012 11:02:38 AM Ignore Seversen Report Abuse k
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 7:11:26 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse thank you for the quick thinking. For once someone who thinks of his job as more than a paycheck (sadly, so many troopers around here are think more about the next donut than helping).
1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,354,315 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 6:43:55 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse "quick thinking!" we dont pay you guys enough
ScottE Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,352 Points:2,198,030 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 6:55:53 PM Ignore ScottE Report Abuse Amen for this Hero of Public Safety in this Country.
bikerchicklette Champion Author Washington Posts:5,889 Points:1,296,720 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 9:47:28 AM Ignore bikerchicklette Report Abuse ok
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,038 Points:1,699,625 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 3:15:00 PM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse Yes, they are out there doing their jobs. I do appreciate that.
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,557 Points:1,919,005 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:37:13 PM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse ok
smenzel Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,055 Points:1,104,930 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:33:28 PM Ignore smenzel Report Abuse Excellent
NashGas Champion Author Nashville Posts:3,089 Points:663,930 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:31:51 PM Ignore NashGas Report Abuse God Bless that Trooper!
myambro Champion Author Sacramento Posts:3,204 Points:1,052,175 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:31:51 PM Ignore myambro Report Abuse Maybe there were safer ways to remedy the situation but the Trooper acted quickly in the heat of the moment. Kudos.
firechief Champion Author New York Posts:3,441 Points:2,065,400 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:29:42 PM Ignore firechief Report Abuse Awesome job. People may have a who cares attitud on here but instead of him crashing into the wrong way driver it could have been one of your family members that could have been seriously injured or killed
porotito Champion Author Houston Posts:2,150 Points:579,685 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:25:24 PM Ignore porotito Report Abuse Soooooo he did his duty.
Algernon Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,190 Points:783,995 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:23:06 PM Ignore Algernon Report Abuse excellent!
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,391 Points:1,876,105 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:22:02 PM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse Didn't see this on the evening news.
pulpwood Champion Author Mississippi Posts:7,379 Points:1,859,605 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:20:57 PM Ignore pulpwood Report Abuse way to go.
garman87 Champion Author Austin Posts:3,256 Points:2,373,615 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:20:36 PM Ignore garman87 Report Abuse Quick thinking.
bigsranch Champion Author Houston Posts:3,141 Points:1,004,505 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:19:36 PM Ignore bigsranch Report Abuse Always keep to your right when driving alone on a divided highway. Wrong way drivers tend to keep to THEIR right (your left) as if it were not a divided highway.
trytogetby All-Star Author Cincinnati Posts:864 Points:214,000 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:18:33 PM Ignore trytogetby Report Abuse Sometimes they are in the right place at the right time. But not often!
Amusiclover Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,969 Points:702,710 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:18:17 PM Ignore Amusiclover Report Abuse The trooper did what he best could and since no one was hurt, and people could have otherwise been hurt or killed, he should be decorated for it rather than waiting and wondering whether Main'e Fleet Safety Board will discipline him.
planoiceman Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,278 Points:477,070 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:17:10 PM Ignore planoiceman Report Abuse For once, a good story about a law enforcement officer
vroomputtputt Veteran Author Oregon Posts:275 Points:62,785 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:16:15 PM Ignore vroomputtputt Report Abuse thank goodness no one got killed
bjdorval Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,254 Points:1,133,955 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:12:44 PM Ignore bjdorval Report Abuse Will someone please check that old geezers optical prescription. Maybe he needs Obamacare for glasses.
jethro5000 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,872 Points:390,260 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:08:30 PM Ignore jethro5000 Report Abuse Good for him...
armey Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,296 Points:310,255 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:07:46 PM Ignore armey Report Abuse AWESOME!
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,720 Points:1,032,755 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:07:38 PM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse re-hash
GPD1739P Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,515 Points:724,405 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:06:39 PM Ignore GPD1739P Report Abuse Excellent work
hibsaw Champion Author Mississippi Posts:8,037 Points:1,680,990 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:06:36 PM Ignore hibsaw Report Abuse I consider him a hero myself.
NoStrings Champion Author Ventura Posts:1,387 Points:271,280 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:05:56 PM Ignore NoStrings Report Abuse good
SUV2009 Champion Author Orlando Posts:4,408 Points:1,142,240 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:05:17 PM Ignore SUV2009 Report Abuse Good Job
msgt_usa Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,463 Points:931,880 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:04:42 PM Ignore msgt_usa Report Abuse No discipline required here. This guy probably saved several lives. His professional instinct took over, averting what could have been a very serious tragedy.
msgt_usa Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,463 Points:931,880 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:04:19 PM Ignore msgt_usa Report Abuse No discipline required here. This guy probably saved several lives. His professional instinct took over, averting what could have been a very serious tragedy.
BobbyVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:5,503 Points:1,175,550 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 2:02:55 PM Ignore BobbyVA Report Abuse Excellent response to a grave situation. I've noticed that entering the wrong way on an interstate ramp happens quite a bit, so the question is, WHY?
3mta3 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:830 Points:1,002,615 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:59:36 PM Ignore 3mta3 Report Abuse Good job
MontyAllan Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:2,284 Points:628,075 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:59:19 PM Ignore MontyAllan Report Abuse ok
Stoney81 Sophomore Author Iowa Posts:202 Points:251,445 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:56:49 PM Ignore Stoney81 Report Abuse dacofa don't waste anyone's time with those type of comments. That's like saying, 'Oh he's from Nevada he must be a degenerate gambler.' Quick thinking by this trooper; if I'm in a similar situation I would like to think I would sacrifice my car to save lives as well.
NatureBoyKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,360 Points:1,294,975 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:55:11 PM Ignore NatureBoyKY Report Abuse Rerun 1!
ggordo Champion Author Long Island Posts:1,670 Points:353,705 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:54:16 PM Ignore ggordo Report Abuse great job!
rx7racerca Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,196 Points:1,112,100 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:52:45 PM Ignore rx7racerca Report Abuse Lots upset here that the old driver didn't get a ticket - I can see why. I do hope the driver might have been sent for a medical review of his fitness to drive. The ticket is pretty much redundant as a penalty after an at-fault accident anyway - his deductible would likely be higher than a fine, and he may not be able to be insured (or to afford it), or his carrier may order a medical to determine fitness to drive. So if any, or all of that is going on, then I have no issue with no ticket being issued.
jjjleblanc Champion Author Rochester Posts:5,872 Points:1,518,330 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:52:21 PM Ignore jjjleblanc Report Abuse These stories don't usually end up this way.
MarkC08 All-Star Author Worcester Posts:663 Points:587,045 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:50:47 PM Ignore MarkC08 Report Abuse OK
10k Champion Author North Carolina Posts:21,249 Points:2,254,020 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:49:19 PM Ignore 10k Report Abuse if the MFSB doesn't give this trooper a ^5 and a commendation, then let them face the same situation and see what they do.. hats off to you trooper cropper..
dacofa Champion Author Nevada Posts:5,373 Points:1,148,820 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:47:53 PM Ignore dacofa Report Abuse Yeah right. Probably had to put down his coffee and doughnut to do it.
pliskin Champion Author Syracuse Posts:6,082 Points:1,731,920 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:46:49 PM Ignore pliskin Report Abuse Great story but was here before.
veemotors All-Star Author Alberta Posts:710 Points:66,320 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:46:36 PM Ignore veemotors Report Abuse hero
cobbwebb Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,624 Points:544,620 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:45:48 PM Ignore cobbwebb Report Abuse that's a huge atta boy
ace12012 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,665 Points:324,385 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jul 23, 2012 1:45:42 PM Ignore ace12012 Report Abuse read it before.