Troopers injured in weather related crashes

BY STACI WILSON

Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers from the Gibson barracks were injured Friday in separate motor vehicle incidents.

Tpr. J.T. Bushta sustained moderate injuries in a 7:50 a.m. crash on I-81, near New Milford exit 223. He was transported to Community Medical Center, Scranton, for treatment of his injuries.

Bushta was stopped on the left shoulder of the road attempting to control speeds of vehicles entering a backlog of traffic caused by another crash at the location.

The trailer portion of a semi-truck was traveling in the left hand lane when driver, Winston Whitney, 39, Laredo, Texas, lost control of his vehicle.

The trailer portion of the vehicle began to slide and its left wheels struck the right rear of Bushta’s police cruiser.

Harford Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.

Tpr. Timothy Gilhooley investigated the incident.

Tpr. Glen Whitney sustained a minor injury in a 6:11 p.m. crash along the same northbound stretch of the interstate.

Whitney was parked on the right side berm of the highway assisting a disabled motorist.

Zachary Barlow, Greensboro, N.C., attempted to exit I-81 at the mile marker 223 ramp, his vehicle slid on the ice and struck the rear portion of the PSP Ford Expedition driven by Whitney.

Both vehicles received minor damage and were able to be driven from the scene.

Whitney was treated for injuries at Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, N.Y.