Arizona DPS trooper injured in I-17 crash gets visit from K9 partner

PHOENIX — An Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper who was injured in a car crash in early February received a special visit from his K9 partner.

In a Twitter photo posted by the department this week, the trooper was shown embracing his partner Zorro.

“Trooper Armstrong is still recovering with help from medical staff and the supervision of his partner K9 Zorro,” the tweet read. 

Trooper John Armstrong sustained serious, but not life-threatening, injuries in the crash that occurred on Feb. 8.

Two troopers were delivering K9 food statewide when an impaired driver collided with their box truck.

The crash happened around 10 a.m. when they were rear-ended by a minivan. The force caused the truck to roll on its side, rip open and spill the dog food across the road.

The other official involved, a DPS sergeant, received minor injuries.

Department spokesman Bart Graves said they were able to salvage two-thirds of the dog food that spilled.

The driver of the minivan that crashed into the truck was identified as 19-year-old Van Rothermel of Tempe. He was not injured in the collision and was taken into custody.

Rothermel was booked into the Coconino County Jail on suspicion of DUI, aggravated assault and drug possession.