A New York State Police trooper died after he was hit by a vehicle on Interstate 81 north of Binghamton early this afternoon.

State police say Trooper Christopher G. Skinner was struck shortly after noon on the northbound side of the highway. The scene was near mile marker 18 between Chenango Bridge and Castle Creek.

According to State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico, Skinner died instantly.

Skinner had been outside his marked State Police troop car conducting a vehicle and traffic stop.

Investigators say the man who drove the truck which hit the Skinner continued on for a short distance.

The suspect vehicle came to a stop in a grassy area off the highway near a wooded area.

The driver ran into the woods, prompting a massive manhunt involving dozens of state troopers, sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officers.

The suspect, who was reported to be about 60 years old, was in custody about an hour later.

Northbound traffic was detoured off I-81 at the Chenango Bridge exit. Drivers were directed to US Route 11 and then were able to return to the highway at the Castle Creek interchange.

The 42-year-old Trooper Skinner was from Binghamton. He is survived by his mother, Sharyn; a brother, Shawn; his fiance, Surrena; and two children, 15-year-old Kyle and 12-year-old Erin.

Skinner was a 13-year member of the New York State Police. He had been assigned to the Traffic Incident Management Unit at Sidney-based Troop C in June 2008.

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