ORLANDO, Fla. – It took more than two years, and now, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper David Rodriguez is back on the road after almost being killed during a traffic stop in January 2012.
It happened while he was parked on State Road 528 and a car hit his motorcycle. Police say 21-year-old Brittany Mikas hit Rodriguez, causing multiple fractures, including a broken pelvis.
"I have a plate and 18 screws here. The most difficult part was not knowing. Not knowing if I'm going to be able to come back to work, not knowing if I'm going to be provide for my family."
Rodriguez tells Local 6 he remembers waking up as paramedics worked on him.
"I was in excruciating pain. A lot, a lot of pain," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez presented awards to his surgeon, his physical therapists and the good Samaritan he credits with saving his life, and has since become a good friend.
"He had sent me a text saying welcome back to work ... I'm have your back I wrote him back and I said now i have your back for life, i guarantee you that."
Rodriguez says all of this could have been avoided if the driver who hit him had simply followed the Move Over Law.
"If you do hit somebody, your life will continue and you will love on. I will be affected the rest of my life," Rodriguez said.
Mikas was cited and fined for failing to move over.
When Rodriguez was injured, he worked in the motorcycle division. However, his doctors feel that is too risky with his injuries and he's been reassigned to a patrol car.