A driver ended up in the hospital and a state police cruiser landed on its side, after an accident involving the cruiser and another car in Sadsbury Township Sunday night.

The accident happened on Route 41, just outside Christiana, when two troopers from the Avondale barracks tried to pass a driver while responding to an incident at about 11 p.m.

Troopers William Vanorden, 27, and John Sromovsky, 26, were headed north on Route 41 at the time. Vanorden was driving, according to a state police news release.

Ahead of them, Frederick Keys, 47, of Christiana, also was headed north.

The troopers got a call about a possible drunk driver. They turned on their lights and sirens and tried to pass Keys on the left, to respond to the call.

However, just at that moment, Keys tried to make a left, angled turn onto Sadsbury Avenue, in front of the cruiser.

The passenger side of the cruiser hit the driver's side of Keys' car, according to a state police news release.

Keys car then hit a guiderail.

The troopers' cruiser traveled through the guiderail, became airborne, and rolled onto its driver's side, the news release said.

Vanorden and Sromovsky were taken to Brandywine Hospital, treated for minor injuries and released.

Keys was taken to Lancaster General Hospital, where he was admitted and was in good condition today, a hospital spokeswoman said.

A witness saw the crash, which is being investigated by police. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. Steven Ranck at 610-268-2022.


Staff writer Cindy Stauffer can be reached at cstauffer@LNPnews.com or 481-6024.