State Police say distracted driving caused crash that trapped and injured Trooper

State Police have issued more details concerning a crash that injured a Trooper and damaged multiple vehicles.

According to Rhode Island State Police, at approximately 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, a Rhode Island State Trooper assigned to the Commercial Enforcement Unit was conducting a roadside inspection of a tractor-trailer on Route 95 South, near the Laurens Street overpass in the City of Cranston. Both the cruiser and the tractor-trailer were parked in the breakdown lane with the cruiser’s emergency lights activated.

A Toyota Sienna minivan traveling southbound in the first travel lane veered into the breakdown lane north of the overpass and struck the parked cruiser. The impact pushed the cruiser into the tractor-trailer, pinning the Trooper inside the vehicle.

Cranston Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the scene and were able to extricate the Trooper, who was then transported to Rhode Island Hospital with minor injuries.

The driver of the minivan was transported to Kent County Hospital with complaints of pain. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.

State Police stated Wednesday that the crash was caused by a distracted driver.

The crash remains under investigation.