Drivers charged after troopers injured in crashes on Route 24, Mass Pike

Two Massachusetts State Police cruisers were struck by other vehicles in separate incidents about an hour apart.

According to Dave Procopio from Massachusetts State Police, two motorists who struck MSP cruisers last night in separate incidents are being charged. Both cruisers that were struck were fully marked Ford Interceptor utility vehicles, the MSP’s main patrol vehicle.

Procopio stated that the Trooper whose cruiser was struck on the Massachusetts Turnpike eastbound in Warren at approximately 11:04 p.m., suffered the more serious injuries, sustaining various serious upper body injuries that are expected to result in him being on injured leave for several weeks. The crash resulted in damage to two cruisers.

Troopers assigned to both cruisers were working with a tow company to winch out a vehicle that had gone off the highway to the right of the road. Both cruisers had their emergency lights activated, as did tow trucks at the scene, and the entire right lane was closed to traffic. The two Troopers were outside of their cruisers and wearing reflective gear. While they were walking toward their cruisers, a rented 2019 Subaru Outback traveling in the right lane did not move over and struck the rear of one of the cruisers. Preliminary investigation suggests that the impact caused major rear-end damage and a broken rear axle, and pushed that cruiser into one of the Troopers on foot. The Trooper was thrown to the roadway and sustained serious injuries. The Subaru then struck the second cruiser, which sustained minor damage. The second Trooper was not struck. The Subaru had significant front-end damage according to Procopio.

The Trooper was treated at UMass Medical Center in Worcester. He was released at approximately 9 a.m. today.

The driver of the Subaru was a 30-year-old Brighton man, who had no apparent injuries. The Subaru was rented from Hertz. MSP is citing the operator for three motor vehicle violations: negligent operation of a motor vehicle; operating at a speed greater than reasonable; and failure to take care in stopping. Two passengers in the Subaru, a 36-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, both of Miami Gardens, Fla., had no apparent injuries. The scene was cleared at approximately 1:15 a.m.

A cruiser was also struck on Route 24, near exit 17 in West Bridgewater, about an hour earlier.

According to Procopio, the Trooper had pulled over a 2007 Lexus SUV operated by a 20-year-old Holbrook woman and was outside his cruiser. The cruiser was struck from behind by a 2018 Tesla Model 3 sedan operated by a 42-year-old Weston man. Preliminary investigation indicates that the impact pushed the cruiser into the Lexus, and also caused the Trooper to jump over a guardrail to avoid being struck by one of the vehicles. When the Trooper did so, he sustained a minor upper body injury when he landed on the ground. He was treated at Good Samaritan Hospital and later released.

The driver and sole occupant of the Tesla is being charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle. He had no apparent injuries.

Procopio stated that the driver of the Lexus, who had been given a warning for a motor vehicle violation when she was stopped, was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital with minor injuries.

The scene was cleared just before midnight.