A South Coast officer’s heroic actions may have just saved a life if not several lives.
According to Mattapoisett Police, on Friday, while on patrol, Mattapoisett Police Officer Jacob Fluegel heard Massachusetts State Police broadcast a report of a wrong-way operator traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-195 in the area of Mattapoisett.
Officer Fluegel responded to I-195 in an attempt to locate the vehicle and prevent a potential collision. A short time later, Officer Fluegel observed the vehicle traveling the wrong way directly toward his location.
As Officer Fluegel attempted to safely stop the vehicle, the operator struck the Mattapoisett Police cruiser. Subsequently, Officer Fluegel was able to successfully stop the vehicle.
Officer Fluegel’s quick response and decisive actions may have prevented a serious head-on collision with potentially catastrophic consequences.
The operator was transported from the scene by Mattapoisett Police EMS. The investigation was subsequently turned over to the Massachusetts State Police.
Fall River Reporter contacted Massachusetts State Police for the identity of the driver and possible charges and they stated that the incident is still under investigation.
Fluegel attended UMass Dartmouth and began serving with the department in early 2025. He is the son of the late Paul Fluegel who was a Wareham Police Officer.
