Florida Trooper Killed While Assisting Motorist

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL — The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that led to the death of one of its own Saturday evening.

According to the agency, Master Sgt. William T. Bishop, 52, of Lake City was standing outside his patrol car around 6:36 p.m. June 17. Bishop was assisting a motorist from Miami that had been involved in a previous crash.

As Bishop was outside his patrol car, troopers say John C. Sams, 67, of Lady Lake and Michael T. Korta, 46, of Tampa were heading southbound on Interstate 75. Korta was ahead of Sams in the center lane, a highway patrol report said.

For reasons that have not been explained, troopers say Korta and Sams’ vehicles collided. Bishop was hit during the secondary collision.

Bishop was taken to Shands Hospital, but was pronounced dead, the patrol said.

The crash remains under investigation with charges pending its outcome.

Further information is not being released at this time.

FHP’s director, Col. Gene Spaulding, and Terry L. Rhodes, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issued a joint statement following news of Bishops’ death:

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we report Sergeant William Trampas Bishop, a member of the Florida Highway Patrol, has succumbed to injuries he sustained while on duty in Alachua County this evening. Sergeant Bishop was a 30-year veteran FHP Trooper, who, like all troopers, put the well-being of those he serves above his own to keep Florida roadways safe. Every member at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is grieving with Sgt. Bishop’s family during this horrific time.

Photos courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol