Paoli Officer Involved In Crash Had To Be Freed From Police Car

Last updated on Friday, February 22, 2013

(PAOLI) - A Paoli police officer, responding to an accident on East Hospital Road, was involved in a crash and had to be extricated from his vehicle.

According to an Indiana State Police report, Officer Matthew Sergent was responding to a call at about 12:13 a.m. this morning, of a vehicle striking a tree and then catching on fire.

According to the report, Harli Kern of Spencer lost control of a GMC Envoy, crossed over a lane of traffic and struck a tree. The vehicle caught fire, but Kern and an unnamed passenger were able to escape the vehicle unharmed.

According to witnesses, Sergent arrived on the scene just east of the original accident. His vehicle lost traction and he was able to guide his vehicle off the roadway, avoiding pedestrians that were present and struck a utility pole just behind the driver's door, entrapping him in the vehicle.

Hydraulic rescue tools were used to free Sergent from the vehicle. He was treated and released from IU Health Paoli.

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