A Gooding County deputy is in the hospital after officials say a semi ran a red light and collided with his truck.

The deputy, Eric Swanson, needed extensive surgery and has a long road to recovery.

'This man got himself out of his burning patrol truck and placed his own tourniquet around his arm to stop the bleeding,' his family posted on Facebook.

"He has a large amount of burns over his body from diesel that caught fire including his face and arms. He also broke his neck, it’s inoperable. There is no surgical fix for his break. He will be in a brace for months to come to stabilize the break."

The family says he will have permanent changes to his body from the accident.

"Our prayers and wishes to Deputy Swanson for a speedy recovery!" the Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office said. "On numerous occasions people ask us why we enforce traffic laws. This is another example as to the why."