Utah Highway Patrol trooper struck by car

A Utah Highway Patrol trooper remained in extremely critical condition Monday after being struck by a vehicle late Friday night on a rural two-lane highway in northern Utah.

Trooper Eric Ellsworth was hit while attempting to slow traffic in Garland because of a problem with a power line. Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce said Monday he is a Salt Lake City hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Box Elder Sheriff Chief Deputy Dale Ward says they are still investigating the incident. Nobody has been arrested.

Royce says Ellsworth was struck by a car driven by a 16-year-old girl after he stepped out of his vehicle to warn a truck driver about sagging power lines. It occurred near Garland, about 70 miles north of Salt Lake City.

The 32-year-old Ellsworth is a veteran trooper. He has three young sons.