ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996                 TAG: 9603250084
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-7  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: FALLS CHURCH

TROOPER AND CYCLE TAKE DIRECT HIT

A state police trooper struck by a stolen pickup truck on Interstate 66 in Falls Church suffered only minor injuries, authorities said.

Trooper Pat Boland responded Friday night on a motorcycle to a report of people running on the shoulder.

While Boland was standing by the interstate, the driver of a pickup intentionally struck him with its right front fender, the state police said.

The driver then stopped, turned around and ran over Boland's motorcycle, the trooper said.

Boland commandeered a passing car and followed the speeding truck, but was unable to catch it. He did get a license plate number. The truck turned out to have been stolen Thursday from Camp Springs, Md.

Boland was treated for knee injuries and abrasions at Fairfax Hospital and released.

Police said the suspect had a woman and at least two young children in the truck with him. Boland said at least 100 people saw the encounter.

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