Massachusetts State Trooper arrested, to be terminated, after fatal motorcycle crash

A Massachusetts State Trooper has been arrested after a fatal morning crash.

According to Dave Procopio of Massachusetts State Police, shortly before 1:30 a.m., Troopers from the State Police-South Boston Barracks responded to a crash between a motorcycle and a sport utility vehicle on Route 93 southbound, in the vicinity of the Freeport Street exit. The motorcycle operator, a Winthrop man, suffered fatal injuries in the crash. The driver of the SUV was an off-duty probationary MSP member. Troopers have charged him with motor vehicle homicide while OUI and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Preliminary investigation by MSP Troopers indicates that the SUV operator lost control of the vehicle, struck the median barrier, and came to a stop perpendicular to the two leftmost travel lanes. The operator and his female passenger exited the vehicle, a 2020 Ford Explorer. While they were outside the Explorer, the motorcycle, a 1976 Honda CB750F also traveling southbound, struck the SUV.

The motorcycle operator sustained serious injuries and was transported to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. He is identified as Christopher Zike, 51, of Winthrop.

The operator of the Explorer, Kristopher Carr, 25, of Monson, was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with possible minor injuries. He was released from the hospital to MSP custody and has been booked at the South Boston Barracks. He will be arraigned today in Dorchester District Court.

Carr graduated from the academy last week and is assigned to the State Police-Westfield Barracks. The Department relieved Carr of duty overnight and will terminate him today.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Zike’s life and express our condolences to his family,” State Police Colonel Christopher Mason said. “Upon responding to the incident Troopers immediately began an investigation that ultimately led to the determination that the probationary member was responsible and that criminal charges were warranted. We also immediately relieved him of duty and then terminated his employment as his actions, as indicated by the evidence, are in direct violation of the standards of integrity, conduct, and professionalism demanded by the Department.”

The 24-year-old female passenger of the Explorer sustained a minor injury.

The crash investigation is being led by the State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County with assistance from MSP Troop H, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the State Police South Boston Barracks.