BRUTUS, CAYUGA COUNTY -- A New York State Police Trooper was injured Sunday night while trying to help a disabled motorist.
Trooper Timothy M. Betlewicz stopped to assist a driver on the Thruway in the Town of Brutus, near the Weedsport exit, around 6:40 PM, though the driver drove away before Betlewicz could help them.
The trooper was walking back to his patrol car when he was somehow struck in the back by a loose tire that came off a trailer.
The trooper was airlifted to the hospital after being knocked unconscious. A passing motorist called 911.
Betlewicz was admitted to University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and is in stable condition.
Anyone with information is asked to call the State Police in Syracuse at 315-437-2831 or in Canandaigua at 585-398-4100. Investigators want to hear from anyone who traveled on the Thruway in the westbound lanes in the half hour or so prior to the injured trooper being spotted by the motorist.
Troopers say all they know right now is that Trooper Betlewicz heard a loud bang, and he was knocked unconscious by the flying tire.
