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Police Officer Hit By Car, Thrown Off I-83

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It was a chaotic scene on I-83 after a car loses control, strikes a police officer and sends her careening over an embankment.

Kelly McPherson has the latest on the officer's current condition and reaction from those who know her.

Interstate 83 shut down after an astonishing accident that caused a police officer to fall over a jersey wall 25 feet below to the pavement.

The officer, identified as Teresa Rigby, 27, was on the side of the highway trying to help a disabled car.  That's when officials say the driver of a Saab heading north rear-ended the police officer's car, causing it to slam into the disabled car which then struck Rigby, sending her plummeting over the jersey wall.

"She was arousable but not awake.  She is currently on full life support," said Dr. Thomas Scalea, Shock Trauma. "She is in critical condition."

Rigby, a 3.5 year veteran, patrols the Northern district.

Her neighbors wait for good news.

"God was with her that she even survived it," said her neighbor, Kiera Henry.  "She was nice, pleasant, always smiling."

Three other people also suffered injuries, including the driver of the car that rear-ended the police car.  The disabled car's driver was injured because she was sitting in her vehicle when it was struck by the police car.  A tow truck driver who was standing next to the police officer was struck by the disabled car, as well, but he did not go flying over the jersey wall. 

"We're extremely optimistic.  She's getting the best care in the world and a lot of people are here to pray for her and support her," said Commissioner Fred Bealefeld.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake visited the hospital, where she said Rigby has family by her side.

"Her mother is remarkably calm but also grateful because she knows how much worse this could have been," Rawlings-Blake said.

Accident investigators are reviewing the case and deciding whether any criminal charges will be filed.

Rigby will undergo at least one surgery.  It's not known exactly when that will take place.

Video From Sky Eye Chopper 13:   

Stay with WJZ.COM for the latest on this developing story.

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