OHIO — A Delaware County sheriff’s deputy sustained serious injuries early Thursday morning after being struck by a semi-truck while investigating a crash on Interstate 71 South.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), the incident occurred around 4 a.m. when two deputies were responding to a crash.

A semi-truck lost control, jackknifed, and veered off the west side of the road. The truck struck one of the deputies and a Toyota Camry involved in the earlier crash.

Both deputies had their cruisers’ emergency lights activated at the time of the collision.

Medics transported the injured deputy and the Camry’s driver to a local hospital, both with serious injuries.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Friday, identifying the injured deputy as Deputy Golden.

“Every day, our deputies face countless dangers – it is part of the job. Thursday, Deputy Golden was struck by a truck while taking a crash report on the side of the highway. He was seriously injured and remains hospitalized.”

“Today, he is in good spirits and starting to feel better, but he has a long road to recovery with more procedures to come. He and his family, along with the Sheriff’s Office, greatly appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers from the community. We are all family here, and when one of our own is down, we all come together and realize what’s most important,” the statement read.

The crash remains under investigation by the OSHP.