Massachusetts State Police Trooper seriously injured, other driver summoned and identified, after highway collision

A State Trooper was seriously injured Saturday afternoon after being hit by another vehicle while on a Massachusetts highway. The suspect has also been identified tonight.

According to preliminary information from Massachusetts State Police, at approximately 2:15 p.m., a Trooper from the Newbury Barracks stopped his cruiser with his emergency lights on Interstate 95 South (prior to Interstate 495) in Salisbury to remove a ladder from the left travel lane. 

After removing the ladder, the Trooper returned to his cruiser and fastened his seatbelt. Moments later, suddenly and without warning, another vehicle struck the State Police cruiser. 

Troopers from the Newbury Barracks and Salisbury EMS responded to render aid to the Trooper who suffered serious injuries. They facilitated his transport to Portsmouth Regional Hospital (New Hampshire).  

The operator of the other vehicle was transported to Lawrence General Hospital. 

Mass DOT officials also responded to the scene to secure the ladder and clear debris from the highway. 

Colonel Noble issued the statement below following today’s crash:  

“In the days and weeks ahead, the State Police will fully investigate the facts and circumstances of this crash, including the actions of the driver as well as the ladder in the roadway that prompted the Trooper to stop in the first place. We do so while keeping our focus on our injured colleague, who has the full support of the Massachusetts State Police as he recovers from several serious injuries.  

“This incident also underscores a broader, ongoing concern for the safety of those who work on our highways. Far too often, drivers fail in their responsibility to slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles displaying their lights. This law exists to protect lives. If not for this Trooper’s decision to wear his seatbelt, the outcome could have been even more tragic.”  

The operator of the vehicle that struck the State Police cruiser will be criminally summoned for several offenses, including negligent operation, speeding, using a mobile device while driving, and failure to move over for emergency vehicle. He is identified as Josue Levi Cuevas Santana, 24, of Lawrence.