A Pennsylvania state trooper’s quick thinking helped him save his own life after he was shot several times Tuesday during a violent confrontation. Cpl. Seth Kelly, 39, was hit by gunfire Tuesday morning as he assisted another trooper during the arrest of 22-year-old Daniel Khalil Clary of Effort, Pennsylvania on Route 33, The Associated Press reported.
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The troopers suspected Clary of driving under the influence of marijuana, and a struggle ensued during the arrest, police Capt. Richard D’Ambrosio said at a news conference. At one point, all three men were “wrestling and rolling around” on the right lane of the busy highway as cars and trucks whizzed by, D’Ambrosio said.
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Although he had been hit with a stun gun, Clary managed to break free and retrieve a semi-automatic pistol from his car before opening fire on Kelly and another trooper, police said.
Clary then fled and drove himself to the hospital, where he was taken into custody.
Kelly, a 13-year veteran of the force, suffered wounds to his neck and shoulder area and to his leg. He likely saved his own life by applying a tourniquet to his bullet wounds, D’Ambrosio said. He was then medically evacuated to St. Luke’s Hospital.
Troop M reports CPL Kelly had a successful second surgery, and is still listed in critical but stable condition. Thank you for all the kind messages and continued support. https://t.co/mrqxdODCuj
— PA State Police (@PAStatePolice) November 9, 2017
On Wednesday, Kelly was set to undergo surgery to remove a bullet. Police announced Thursday that he was in stable but critical condition after a second successful surgery.
“He’s battling. He’s certainly not out of the woods by any means, but … he is a very strong individual and he displayed a will yesterday that he wanted to live and get through this,” D’Ambrosio said.
The other trooper, 31-year-old Ryan Seiple, sustained a minor injury during the scuffle but was not hit by gunfire, authorities said.
Clary was charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault, police said. He was shot and remains in the hospital.
Trooper Ryan C. Seiple, 31, enlisted in the PSP in 2011. pic.twitter.com/HUrHdnZuO1
— PA State Police (@PAStatePolice) November 8, 2017
The Northampton County District Attorney’s office said it will seek a long jail sentence for Clary.
(H/T: The Associated Press)