CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A West Virginia State Police trooper who was hit and seriously injured by an allegedly drunk driver over the weekend responded to a question asked by doctors Sunday, but remains in critical condition, according to a State Police spokesman

Cpl. A.M. Pringle is still in the intensive care unit at Charleston Area Medical Center after being struck by the vehicle Saturday night. His condition is still listed as critical, according to hospital operators.

Sgt. Michael Baylous said doctors asked Pringle a question Sunday and he was able to give a thumbs-up and nod his head, "which is encouraging, but he's not out of the woods yet by any means."

Baylous said State Police are standing vigil with Pringle's family and that more information will be released as Pringle's condition changes.

"The best we can hope for is that he continually improves," Baylous said.

Pringle was in the midst of a traffic stop near Cisco in Ritchie County when he and his cruiser were hit by a vehicle driven by Jessie Parsons, 63, of McFarlan, according to State Police.

Another trooper, who recently graduated from the West Virginia State Police Academy, sustained minor injuries at the scene but was released after treatment. Pringle was the training officer for that trooper, whose name is Honaker.