EAST FRANKLIN TWP, Armstrong County — A state police trooper was seriously injured this morning when a car hit him as he cleared debris from the ramp from Route 422 onto Route 28, authorities said.

The unknown driver did not stop after hitting the officer, identified as Sgt. Kenneth Markilinski, who is the station commander of the Gibsonia barracks.

Police are seeking the hit-and-run suspect, who was driving a dark-colored passenger vehicle. The car has damage to its front, driver’s side. The crash happened about 6:45 a.m.

Markilinski was taken to ACMH Hospital in the township before a medical helicopter flew him to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.

A trooper at the Kittanning barracks said Markilinski suffered head, neck and back injuries. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Markilinski had stopped his cruiser on the berm of the southbound on-ramp to Route 28.

“It looks like when he was hit he was thrown up over his police car,” said Chief Mark Feeney of the East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department.

He landed on his side in the grass median.

The ramp was still closed after 8:30 a.m. while police accident reconstruction specialists investigated.