COLUMBUS (WCMH) – A police officer was injured early Sunday morning when a vehicle crashed into his cruiser while he was helping a stranded motorist.

Police say the officer, Sgt. Benjamin Messerly, was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital in stable condition due to a head injury. Messerly was later released.

It happened around 5:08am on I-670 east near the ramp for Leonard Avenue. According to Columbus Police, a Columbus Police sergeant was helping a stranded motorist when his vehicle was struck from behind. The officer was transported to Grant Medical Center in stable condition. Police say the driver who struck him was detained at the scene.

“Both the at-fault vehicle and cruiser were destroyed. Only by a miracle was the sergeant not critically injured,” Columbus Police said on Twitter.

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