GRAY, Maine — Three state troopers and a recruit who were hit on the side of Route 202 in August spoke about that night for the first time.
Troopers David Lemieux, Jake Mowry, Dakota Stewart and Trooper recruit Shane St. Pierre each have a long road ahead of them before they can return to work, but that day is "not soon enough."
On Aug. 27, the men were responding to a call when a car came out of nowhere.
"One second everything was fine. It was just a typical investigation that we were doing, and then within a second nothing was fine," Stewart said.
St. Pierre recalled watching the traffic over his shoulder, then in a blink of an eye a car was coming straight at him.
"I was able to see the vehicle actually come in and veer towards us and look pretty well straight down the hood," St. Pierre said.
Mowry, Lemieux, and St. Pierre were taken to Maine Medical Center with serious injuries not considered life-threatening, and Stewart was treated for several broken bones in his right foot before being released from the hospital, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said.
Stewart said at first, he didn't realize he was injured because he was running on adrenaline. He radioed for help.
"Dave kind of led me through it, getting a head count was important, figuring out where everyone was and just trying to remain calm enough to relay what was going on," Stewart said.
More than two months later, the troopers are still on the road to recovery each having at least one surgery. For some of them, it could be a year or so before they can get back to work.
"But, you know, it's nice that we're all still sitting here thankfully," Lemieux said. "But yeah, I mean it's going to take a while."
Lemieux said he suffered three fractures in his ankle and still needs some additional surgeries. He's one month into physical therapy.
Mowry had a compound fracture to his tibia and fibula and some damage to an artery in his lower leg. He's been in physical therapy for more than two months.
St. Pierre also broke his tibia and fibula. Stewart broke his foot.
The support each of them has received since the incident has been humbling, Mowry said.
"The support in general from members of the community—I know people from Limington and Limerick have sent me all kinds of cards," Mowry said. "It's been pretty amazing. Very thankful for that."
A concert benefit is planned for Sunday at the Cross Insurance Arena organized by The Trooper Black Foundation, which raises money for first responders in times of unforeseen incidents.
The driver, Tyler Croston, charged with hitting the troopers is being held at the York County Jail and is facing eight counts, including driving to endanger and aggravated OUI.
His next hearing is Dec. 14 at 1 p.m.