Missouri: Officer is critically hurt after pickup hits him

The Osage Beach Police Department says Austin White, 27, was hit about 6:15 a.m. on the east end of the Grand Glaize bridge on U.S. 54 in the eastbound lanes. Officer White was making a traffic stop, along with another officer. The two patrol cars were parked behind the car pulled over. Police say a passing blue GMC pickup, driven by Robert Watkins, 58, of Osage Beach, first hit the back patrol car, then struck Officer White while he was on foot outside his car. The pickup continued, hitting the car that had been pulled over.

Police say White was thrown about 30 feet, landing under the guard rail. He suffered serious injuries. Passing motorists stopped to help, and performed CPR. White was conscious when an ambulance arrived. He was taken to the Grand Glaize airport, then flown to a hospital in Columbia. Police say, at midday, White was conscious and alert, and in stable condition.