A Trooper with the N.C. State Highway Patrol is in the hospital after suffering injuries from a physical altercation during a traffic stop on Sunday. The incident happened along I-73 southbound near N.C. Highway 211 outside of Candor around 5 p.m.
According to investigators, the Trooper conducted a traffic stop for speeding on a Ford Ranger pick-up truck driven by Clint Snipes along the interstate. During the stop, the Trooper asked the driver to step out of the vehicle and as the Trooper attempted to arrest Snipes, a physical altercation took place. Snipes hit the Trooper in the face according to a press release from NCSHP. Montgomery County Sheriff Deputies quickly arrived, and were able to help the Trooper detain Snipes. Other officers from NCSHP and Candor Police also responded to the scene. Both the Trooper and Snipes were injured during the incident.
The Trooper was taken to a hospital in Albemarle by ambulance with unknown injuries, but is expected to be OK. Snipes, seen bloodied and in handcuffs by Moore County News on the scene, was transported to a hospital in Troy with non-life-threatening injuries. They were both released hours after the incident.
Multiple charges are pending against Snipes, including DWI.
