A state trooper making a routine traffic stop in West Hempstead was assaulted by a driver who punched him in the face, before being assisted by good Samaritans who subdued the attacker.

The incident occurred along the shoulder of the westbound Southern State Parkway near Exit 18, Eagle Avenue, at 4:18 p.m. on April 18, state police said.

Police said the trooper had stopped a blue Honda Odyssey for an expired Connecticut registration and said the driver, identified as Calith M. Hudson, 33, of Jamaica, Queens, immediately became “verbally combative,” throwing his license on the ground when asked to present it — then climbing over the passenger seat and exiting the vehicle despite commands to remain in the minivan.