Massachusetts State Police arrest alleged road rage wrong-way driver after chase spanned several towns on Route 195, Route 44

Authorities arrested an alleged road rage wrong-way driver late last month

According to Massachusetts State Police, on June 24th, a Trooper from the Dartmouth Barracks responded to the area of Route 195 westbound in Dartmouth for a report of two vehicles crashing into each other during a road rage incident.  

The Trooper located one of the vehicles involved on Route 195 westbound. The other vehicle failed to stop and he pursued the vehicle.  Stop Sticks were successfully deployed on Route 195 in Swansea.                         

The vehicle slowed down nearly to a stop at a weigh station then turned and started driving the wrong way on the highway (east in westbound lanes).  Assisting Troopers effectively slowed and stopped traffic on Route 195 west helping to avoid motor vehicle crashes from occurring with the wrong-way operator.  The operator corrected his direction of travel and subsequently exited Route 195 west at Exit 1 in Seekonk.   

Seekonk Police began to pursue the fleeing vehicle as State Police assets terminated.  Seekonk PD pursued the Toyota on Route 44 east in their town where they eventually terminated the pursuit once they entered Rehoboth. The Toyota was later observed traveling on Route 44 east in Taunton at a speed of approximately 15 miles per hour.  As it traveled, the deflated tires began to smoke and started to burn.  Troopers responded to the area and conducted a motor vehicle stop. 

The driver, whose identity was not released, was taken into custody without further incident.

The operator was arrested and charged with Fail to Stop for Police, Reckless Operation, Speeding, Marked Lanes, Failure to Signal, and Wrong Way on State Highway.