BUFFALO, N.Y. — A New York State Trooper received cheers and applause Wednesday as he was released from Erie County Medical Center.
Sergeant Station Commander Salvatore "Sam" Mattina underwent multiple "life-threatening" surgeries over after he was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash in September.
While out surveying a road, Mattina T-boned a car that failed to yield on State Route 93 in Youngstown.
"This is a great day for the state police," State Police Captain David Martek said. "Sergeant Mattina gets to go home, that's all that really matters. Sam has been here for almost a month.
"Friday the 13th is when it happened, now on this day he gets to go home. His family, as you can tell, is excited, and on behalf of the family, he wanted me to express their deep appreciation for all the concern from the community."
A GoFundMe for Sergeant Mattina has raised over $20,000.