PORTLAND (AP) — A Maine state trooper is being recognized for his quick thinking when he stopped an elderly man who was driving the wrong way on a Portland interstate highway at the beginning of rush hour.

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree is presenting a "congressional statement" Wednesday to Trooper Douglas Cropper.

Officials say Cropper used his cruiser to stop an elderly driver who was heading north in the southbound lane of Interstate 295 on June 29.

Cropper raced ahead of the wrong-way driver and pulled in front of him so his car crashed into the cruiser and came to a stop before he could crash into oncoming motorists.

In her statement to Congress, Pingree said Cropper put his life on the line to prevent what could have been a terrible tragedy.