A Beavercreek police officer and his K-9 were injured Monday night after their cruiser was struck on US 35 by another vehicle, police said. 

The crash, which was dispatched at 9:35 p.m., shut down the highway in both directions. Westbound lanes were opened around 2:15 a.m. Tuesday. All lanes were opened at 2:56 a.m.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said Beavercreek Officer Chris M. Williams, 50, and his K-9 “D.J.” were parked in a crossover east of N. Fairfield Rd. to watch traffic.

They said a white Ford Ranger driven by Timothy E. Duncan, 56, Thomasville, GA., was eastbound. Duncan, they said, drove off the left side of the road and hit the rear of Williams’ cruiser. Duncan’s truck came back onto the eastbound lanes of U.S. 35 and slid off into a ditch.

Williams and Duncan were transported to Miami Valley Hospital for minor injuries. The K-9 was taken to a veterinarian, and is reported to be in good health. The other driver was also hurt, troopers said.

U.S. 35 was shut down between N. Fairfield Rd. and Factory Rd. for five hours.

A firefighter from another community who wished to remain anonymous said he saw what happened. He said he was traveling west on U.S. 35 when he saw the police cruiser parked in the median get hit by an eastbound vehicle and both vehicles went airborne.

The anonymous firefighter said the cruiser, which was a K-9 unit with a dog in the back seat, landed in the westbound lane.

Troopers from the Xenia post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol continue their investigation.