A police officer was struck by a van this morning as he was directing traffic at an intersection after a power outage disabled a signal, authorities said.
Officer Scott Martin, a 9-year veteran, had a broken leg, scrapes and bruises. He was in stable condition at Bayfront Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for the broken leg, said Capt. Sanfield Forseth of the Pinellas Park Police Department.
The driver of the Nissan van that struck Martin - identified as Sengthong Liamsavy, 47, of St. Petersburg - stopped immediately, Forseth said. He told investigators he did not see the officer because it was dark. The accident occurred at 6 a.m. at U.S. 19 and Park Boulevard.
Martin was wearing a reflective vest as he directed northbound traffic.
The northbound lanes of U.S. 19 were closed until roughly 9:30 this morning. All lanes now are open.
Forseth said the power outage was caused by inclement weather.
No charges were filed. Investigators are waiting to see whether toxicology tests show Liamsavy was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There was nothing to indicate he was under the influence of anything at the scene, Forseth said.
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