Officer Injured When Tree Crashes Through Vehicle's Roof

LAUREL FORK, Va. -- A 24-inch oak tree broke off and crashed down on a vehicle being driven by a Virginia State Patrol officer who was driving along Highway 58 west Tuesday evening in Laurel Fork, Va., State Patrol officials said.

Images: Tree Falls On Officer's Car

The officer, identified as Sgt. Tony Zyvoloski, was part of an accident reconstruction team and was on his way to a double fatality crash in Giles County, Va., when the "freak accident" happened.

Zyvoloski then lost control of his patrol car, crossed the road and crashed into an embankment. He was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he was being treated for spinal injuries, 1st Sgt Mike Musser told WXII. Musser said Zyvoloski, who was extricated from the vehicle, was responsive and conscious before being taken to the hospital.

Musser said there were no storm or strong wind in the area when the accident happened.

He added that it wasn't the first time he had responded to a similar crash.

"Two years ago we had an accident that was almost identical to this one. It resulted in a fatality," he said.

Zyvoloski was assigned to the Galax office of the state police, which is responsible for covering Carroll and Grayson counties.

He had been employed by the State Patrol since 1992.