SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - A Massachusetts State Police trooper is recovering at Baystate Medical Center after being struck by a motor vehicle on I-90W in Chicopee early Tuesday morning.

According to Colonel Geoffrey Noble, the trooper had witnessed a tractor trailer driver commit a safety violation and pulled them over to make sure the driver was ‘safe and operating safely.’

The trooper was then hit by a passing vehicle in what Noble characterized as a hit-and-run. The suspect has since been apprehended, but not yet publicly identified by police as of Tuesday evening.

Police have also not identified the trooper, but Noble said he is facing serious injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening. He added that he was in good spirits when he visited him at Baystate Medical Center.

“As we go forward, we will continue to support our trooper with his recovery and his family,” Noble said. “We also want to thank this incredible outpouring of support that the state police and his family have received from our community partners.”

Noble also said the incident emphasizes the importance of drivers keeping their eyes on the road and being alert at the wheel.

“There’s a reason why the Move Over Law is in place,” Noble said. “When you see a first responder, a police officer, a tow truck operator, fire official or emergency medical personnel, move over.”

Noble said police are very confident that the suspect who is currently in custody was operating the motor vehicle which struck the trooper.

Noble said the trooper has been with the Massachusetts State Police for less than a year, but brought nearly a decade of experience from municipal police departments.