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ROCHESTER - One man was killed and an Indiana State Trooper was injured in a two-vehicle collision on Ind. 14 and Barrett Road in Fulton County at 9:30 a.m. Monday.
Richard L. Smith, 67, Rochester, reportedly hit a police car driven by Trooper Randy Shaver, 44.
Shaver was reportedly called to an accident west of Akron. He was eastbound on Ind. 14 at Barrett Road when his squad car was hit by Smith's pickup. The vehicle's lights and sirens were activated.
Smith's pickup struck Shaver's squad car on the passenger's side door and caused it to roll over. Shaver's vehicle caught fire after the crash and Shaver was trapped inside. Fulton County Sheriff Bruce Baker was the first on the scene and pulled Shaver out of the burning car.
Police dispatchers reportedly warned emergency personnel responding to the crash that ammunition may explode in the vehicle.
Smith was airlifted to Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne, where he died at 2:29 p.m.
Shaver was taken to Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester with a fractured leg, elbow and wrist. He is listed in stable condition. State police said Shaver is expected to be off work for 14 weeks.
