Critically Injured Montana Trooper Making ‘Incredible’ Recovery’

Doctors treating a Montana Highway Patrol trooper who was critically hurt after being hit by a suspect's car during a chase if making a remarkable recovery.

Those comments came over the weekend as Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, MHP leaders, fellow law enforcement officers, and family rallied to show support for Trooper Lewis Johnson, who continues to recover at Logan Health in Kalispell.

Johnson was struck near Lake Koocanusa, as Lincoln County Sheriff's deputies and others were attempting to stop the suspect, who was wanted on outstanding warrants, and took off when they attempted to apprehend him in Eureka.

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After the accident, a post on the community Go Fund Me page set up to help Lewis and his family said he had suffered "a punctured lung, damaged liver, head injury, broken ribs, broken air, broken leg, and several spinal trauma."

But during the gathering, Sunday, Lewis and his wife Kate thanked fellow officers and the community for their ongoing support. 

Dr. Erik Peltz, who is the Chief of Surgery at Logan Health, said Trooper Johnson's recovery has been incredible after spending several days on life support. MHP Colonel Steve Lavin and Knudsen spoke at the rally, with Sheriff Darren Short recognizing Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Clint Heintz for rendering aid to Johnson, helping to save his life until help could arrive at the remote location.

And Knudsen made it clear the state is going to vigorously prosecute suspect Jason Allen Miller.

“We’re going to make sure that he’s held to account, he’s going to get the absolute best prosecutors that Montana has and that we can throw at him, so we’re going to make sure that justice is done in this case,” Knudsen told the gathering.