The Associated Press

ATHENS, Ohio - An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper started the paperwork for his retirement the same day he was hit by a car at a crash site in southeast Ohio.

A car hit trooper Leonard Gray on Wednesday at the site of a jackknifed tractor-trailer on Ohio 93 in Hocking County, the patrol said.

He was in serious condition Thursday in Grant Hospital in Columbus, hospital spokeswoman Janet Porter said. Trooper Gray's legs were broken and he had internal and head injuries, she said.

A car driven by Ronald Hamrick of Logan hit Trooper Gray about 2 p.m. just south of Ewing, the patrol said. Mr. Hamrick, 61, did not stop as directed by Trooper Gray, the patrol said. Charges against Mr. Hamrick were pending on Thursday, Sgt. Robin Schmutz said.

Trooper Gray, a 24-year veteran of the Athens post, is planning to retire in April, his family said.