Trooper recovering after head-on crash; driver faces DUI, other charges

FARRAGUT — A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper is recovering today after suffering minor injuries in a head-on crash with an allegedly drunken driver Friday night, authorities said.

Trooper Phillip Wagner was headed north in the 700 block of Campbell Station Road and waiting to turn left into the Pilot convenience store around 8:20 p.m. when a southbound sport utility vehicle drifted into the turn lane and slammed into his cruiser, THP Sgt. Stacey Heatherly said. He was treated at the University of Tennessee Medical Center for injuries that didn’t appear to be serious, authorities said.

The SUV’s driver, Julie E. Walker, 34, of Loudon, wasn’t hurt. She faces charges of driving under the influence, vehicular assault, failure to maintain a lane, failure to exercise due care while driving, failure to wear a seat belt and violation of the financial responsibility law.