4 sent to hospital after car hits NYSP vehicle in Columbia County

LIVINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Two New York State Police members were injured on Friday after a car crashed into their patrol vehicle in the town of Livingston, according to the law enforcement agency. The incident reportedly occurred just before 6:30 p.m. on County Route 31 near Hill Road. A preliminary investigation found that a marked State Police patrol vehicle was traveling southbound on County Route 31 when an oncoming Lexus crossed into its lane of travel, officials said. The trooper driving the patrol vehicle reportedly left the roadway onto the shoulder in an attempt to evade the car but was ultimately unable to avoid a collision. The two State Police members -- identified as a field training officer and a probationary trooper -- were able to exit the car, authorities said. They were reportedly taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital with minor injuries and have since been released. The Lexus was operated by a 72-year-old New Jersey resident and contained three other occupants, according to police. The driver and one passenger were taken to the hospital for evaluation while two others declined further medical treatment. State Police said the driver of the Lexus showed no indications of impairment during an evaluation with a drug recognition expert. Additionally, an investigation has determined there is no evidence of criminality, though the cause of the crash remains under investigation, according to police.