Off-duty trooper saves woman’s life after motorcycle crash

An Indiana State Police trooper is being credited with likely saving a woman’s life while he was off duty on Saturday.

According to police reports, Trooper Matt Hatchett was driving home in his state police vehicle after completing his National Guard training when he was flagged down by a group of motorcycle riders on Sunset Drive near Sweetwater Lake in Brown County at about 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

One of the bikers had crashed, was bleeding heavily from a wound to her leg and losing consciousness. Police say Hatchett used medical gear to apply a tourniquet to the woman’s leg to stop the bleeding, likely saving her life. She was flown by medical helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital.

State Police say that all troopers are issued tourniquets as part of their duty gear and train annually on their use and benefits.

Hatchett has served as a trooper for nearly four years and lives in Brown County with his family.

This crash is being investigated by the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.