A Pennsylvania State Police trooper collided with another vehicle while rushing to what turned out to be a false shooting report in South Middleton Township, Cumberland County, on Tuesday (March 10), sending the other driver to the hospital.
According to CBS 21, the call came in just after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (March 10), reporting gunshots at a residence on the 300 block of Fairview Street. Troopers from the PSP Carlisle barracks were dispatched to the scene.
As troopers made their way to the address, one of the police vehicles collided with an unrelated car. CBS 21 reported that a red sedan was overturned near the intersection of Fairview Street and Forge Road, while the state police SUV — which suffered front-end damage — was stopped nearby. The driver of the sedan was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The trooper involved in the crash was not hurt.
Other troopers, some seen carrying rifles and wearing riot gear, continued to respond and set up a perimeter around the home on Fairview Street. After speaking with residents, however, police determined no shooting had taken place.
Trooper Megan Frazer, a state police spokesperson, confirmed the details of the incident. Early in the response, first responders asked the public to avoid the area, citing "multiple active incidents," as reported by Yahoo News.
Pennsylvania State Police are now investigating both the crash and the initial false shooting report. No further details about the origin of the false call have been released.