(Vienna, MD) – One person was killed this evening in a Dorchester County crash that involved a state trooper who was responding to a call for a motor vehicle collision involving personal injury.

The deceased victim is identified as Kristin Underkoffler, 34, of the 8700-block of Lennox Drive, Delmar, Maryland. She was taken to Dorchester General Hospital by ambulance and pronounced dead a short time later.

The trooper involved in the crash is identified as Trooper First Class Paul Zimmerman, 48, who is assigned to road patrol duties at the Easton Barracks. TFC Zimmerman has been a member of the Maryland State Police for three and one-half years. He was transported by ambulance to Peninsula Regional Medical Center with minor injuries before being treated and released this evening.

The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly before 6:30 p.m., TFC Zimmerman was on-duty in a 2006 marked Ford Crown Victoria patrol vehicle. He was responding with emergency lights and siren activated to a reported personal injury crash eastbound U.S. Route 50 at Vienna Bridge.

As the trooper’s vehicle approached the crash scene, a tractor trailer was stopped in the roadway on eastbound U.S. Route 50 and a 2008 Hyundai passenger vehicle, operated by Kristin Underkoffler, was stopped directly behind the tractor trailer, when TFC Zimmerman’s vehicle slid on a patch of ice and struck the left rear of the Hyundai. The impact forced the Hyundai to rotate clockwise causing the left side of the vehicle to strike the rear of the trailer. After striking the Hyundai, TFC Zimmerman’s patrol vehicle spun and struck the tractor trailer.

TFC Zimmerman quickly exited his vehicle and attempted to provide assistance to the victim prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel. The driver of the tractor trailer, Denise Bish, 46, of Avondale, Pennsylvania was not injured in the crash. There were several earlier motor vehicle crashes at the same location due to the icy weather conditions.

Personnel from the State Highway Administration responded to assist with traffic detours and lane closures. The roadway reopened shortly before 9:30 p.m. Members from the Maryland State Police CRASH Team will conduct a detailed crash reconstruction of this fatal collision. The speed the trooper was traveling prior to the crash has not been determined and will be part of the ongoing investigation. Mr. William Jones, Dorchester County State’s Attorney, has been informed of this incident and has agreed to review the investigation when it is complete.