North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Severely Injured in Crash Making Big Strides in Recovery

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- A North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper who was critically injured after being struck at the scene of a crash last month is making big strides in his recovery.

Trooper Adolfo Lopez-Alcedo was investigating a wreck in which five people were killed the night before on July 4 on the outer loop of Interstate 485 at West W.T. Harris Boulevard in Charlotte when he was hit by a driver, according to WBTV.

Lopez-Alcedo was transported to the hospital with severe injuries following the crash. Now, just over a month later, the trooper is able to stand for brief periods of time and has regained feeling in his extremities.

North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Ray Pierce said that Lopez-Alcedo will be transferred to the Shephard Center in Atlanta on Friday. An escort will take him from the hospital to the airport where he will be flown to Georgia to continue his recovery effort.

Earlier this month, those close to Lopez-Alcedo said the trooper "is getting better and stronger everyday" in an update on the trooper’s GoFundMe page.

"He is playing thumb wars with his wife. He is pointing to pictures of his family and identifying who they are. Blowing kisses, counting with his fingers, waving, moving his hands and feet on command. He also was able to march and pivot in place," the message reads. "God is performing miracles everyday!!! He continues to fight for a full recovery."

Although Lopez-Alcedo has made a lot of progress, his family says that he still has a long fight ahead of him.

“He has suffered significant injuries to his body and brain, the extent of which have not been fully diagnosed," they wrote in the message. "His recovery will take months or even years, will require countless medical appointments and unknown expenses for this amazing family."