Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A Florida Highway Patrol officer was critically injured while performing speed enforcement on State Road 836 Friday morning.

Trooper Carlos Rosario, a 12-year veteran of the force, was nearly killed Friday when a car struck him around 9:30 a.m. on the Dolphin Expressway.

Rosario was airlifted to the Ryder Trauma Center where dozens of troopers to gathered outside.

Dr. Carl Schulman of Jackson Memorial Hospital doctor said Rosario is in surgery.

“He’s got major injuries to his, mostly his orthopedic injuries, a lot to his face, spine and extremities,” said Dr. Schulman.

The doctor added Rosario is in critical but stable condition.

“They are the guardians of the community and when a guardian angel goes down we are all affected by it,” said Miami-Dade PBA President John Rivera.

The accident has Rivera alarmed.

“This is another example of how dangerous police work can be,” he said. “It makes no difference whether you are working a traffic detail or sitting at a restaurant. Someone can come up and shoot you. This is the most dangerous thing every day.”

FHP says Rosario was outside his car on the shoulder conducting a traffic stop in the westbound lanes near NW 107th Avenue when he was struck by an out-of-control car.

“The trooper was standing in the emergency lane with his vest on when the vehicle lost control and spun out on the side and struck the trooper,” explained FHP Sgt. Mark Wysocky.

FHP said Rosario, who is married and has children, was part of a detail involved with curbing speeding on this St. Patrick’s Day.

“The shoulder where this occurred is very wide and now we have to determine why he lost control and went sideways,” Wysocky said.

The accident left at least two vehicles, including an FHP patrol car, with rear end damage.

“It was extremely violent the way he was thrown,” Rivera said.

Authorities said the driver who hit Rosario stayed on the scene.

As dozens of troopers rushed to the hospital, Rosario received a visit in the afternoon from Gov. Rick Scott. The governor left the Ryder Trauma Center without commenting.

FHP said the accident is under investigation and so far no one has been cited.