A St Joseph Police officer stopped in traffic on US-36 to assist a stranded motorist was taken to the hospital Thursday after his police cruiser was hit from behind by another motorist.

Authorities say the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.  Sergeant Steve Smith identifies the victim as Officer Darryl Lehman.

Smith says Officer Lehman was still in the emergency room late Thursday afternoon.  Lehman’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

The wreck at about 1:30pm shut down eastbound traffic and slowed down westbound motorist at about 22nd Street for about an hour.  Traffic officers re-routed eastbound motorists off the highway at South Tenth.