EVANSTON — A Wyoming State Trooper sustained minor injury after his patrol car was struck on Interstate 80 on Christmas Day. The patrol car was hit around 3:30 p.m. approximately 31 miles east of Evanston in snow and ice covered road conditions, according to a release from Wyoming Highway Patrol. 
Evanston area Trooper Matt Arnell, a 15-year WHP veteran, was assisting a motorist who had slid off into the median at mile post 36 on I-80 westbound when a Hyundai passenger car lost control and crashed into the rear his patrol car. Trooper Arnell saw the out of control Hyundai coming at him and was able to prepare for the collision while seated inside of his issued 2012 Dodge Charger patrol car.
The collision pushed the patrol car into the north ditch. The Hyundai stopped in the middle of the westbound lanes of I-80. After the collision, Trooper Arnell was able to check on the driver of the Hyundai, 20-year-old Dakota Anglin of Midvale, Utah, and assisted in getting her out of the vehicle while pushing the Hyundai out of traffic.
Trooper Arnell was evaluated at Evanston Regional Hospital and was released that same day. Trooper Arnell has since returned to full duty.
In 2015, eight WHP patrol cars were struck in similar crashes while Troopers were in the performance of their duties. It is the law in Wyoming for vehicles to slow down on two lane highways and to move over on interstate highways when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle.