HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) trooper was airlifted to a hospital after he was hit by a vehicle during a checkpoint.

According to officials with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS), the incident happened on Highway 90 in Hancock County around 10:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24.

DPS officials said Trooper Nicholas Dean was conducting a checkpoint when he was hit by a vehicle that was being driven by an unidentified teenager.

Dean was airlifted to an area hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

Officials said the incident is currently under investigation as a possible driving under the influence causing injury charge.

“Trooper Dean is fortunately expected to make a full recovery,” said Mississippi DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell. “Drinking and driving recklessly puts everyone’s life at risk and may result in felony charges in incidents such as this.”