Massachusetts officer seriously injured after vehicle strikes him while on duty, sends him airborne

BURLINGTON — Chief Thomas P. Browne reports that a Burlington Police Department patrol officer, while working a construction detail on Cambridge Street, was struck and seriously injured by a motor vehicle.

At 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, two officers were working an Eversource detail at 34 Cambridge St. near CVS Pharmacy when a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox suddenly jumped the curb and struck one of the officers, causing the officer to go airborne, landing on top of the vehicle. 

The officer is identified as Timothy Kirchner who retired in June as a sergeant after 32 years of service to the department. He remains with Burlington Police as a reserve officer. 

The second officer immediately jumped into action, helping the motorist stop the vehicle and assisting the officer from on top of the vehicle. The second officer sustained cuts and scrapes during the time, but was not seriously injured. The Burlington Fire Department responded and treated the injured officer, who sustained serious injuries including arm, elbow and leg injuries.

The officer was transported by ambulance to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center.

An on-scene preliminary investigation indicates that the motorist was attempting to park when they hit the gas pedal. The operator, a 75-year-old man from Reading, remained at the scene and was cooperative with authorities.

The Burlington Police Department is actively investigating the incident with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.