Massachusetts State Police Trooper injured after car slams into cruiser on highway

A Massachusetts man has been arrested after slamming into a police cruiser and injuring a State Trooper.

According to Dave Procopio of Massachusetts State Police, just after 7:15 p.m. yesterday a Massachusetts State Trooper was in his cruiser, stopped in the breakdown lane on Route 93 north in Randolph, when the cruiser was struck from behind by a drunk driver. The Trooper, a 35-year-old male, was injured and was conscious and alert when transported to Boston Medical Center.

The driver who hit the cruiser, 58-year-old Thomas Feloney, of Milton, was arrested for OUI-Liquor, operating with a suspended license, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, breakdown lane violation, and driving at a speed greater than reasonable.

Procopio stated that the crash occurred while the Trooper was stopped in the breakdown lane after conducting a motor vehicle stop of an unregistered BMW sedan, which was to be towed. The Trooper was inside his cruiser, a fully-marked 2017 Ford Explorer with all emergency lights activated, behind the BMW and waiting for the tow truck to arrive on scene. when it was struck by a 2019 Jeep Cherokee being operated by Feloney. The investigation indicates that Feloney drove into the breakdown lane at a high rate of speed and struck the left rear side of the cruiser. The cruiser was then pushed into the rear of the BMW, which was being operated by an 18-year-old Fall River woman. The Trooper exited the cruiser to render assistance to the other operators, but his injuries caused him to fall onto the roadway in the right lane, where responding Troopers located him.

Following the crash, the Jeep continued to travel into the left lane. Feloney was standing outside his vehicle and had minor lacerations and bruises but declined medical attention. Several witnesses provided statements indicating that the Jeep was being operated erratically before the crash. Troopers made observations of Feloney, engaged him in conversation, and administered field sobriety tests, all of which led to the determination that Feloney was under the influence of alcohol. Troopers placed him under arrest for OUI and the other traffic charges and he was transported to the State Police-Milton Barracks where he was booked and held on $5,000 cash bail. He is expected to be arraigned today in Quincy District Court.

The Trooper was treated at the hospital and is recovering at home. The driver of the BMW was not injured.