Off-duty Boston police officer critically injured in collision with firetruck in Dorchester

BOSTON — An off-duty Boston police officer has life-threatening injuries and four firefighters were injured after a firetruck and the officer’s vehicle collided, sending the firetruck into the front of a Bank of America in Dorchester early Thursday morning.

The firetruck and the vehicle collided on Washington Street and Talbot Avenue around 2:26 a.m., according to a statement from Boston police. The truck ended in the entrance to the bank and the officer’s vehicle, a black SUV with front-end damage, came to rest outside the bank.

“It sounded real loud," one witness told Boston 25. “It woke me up. I mean I was in a dead sleep. I woke up.”

Police said a fatal accident investigation team is now looking into the cause of the crash, but the officer’s injuries were described as life-threatening.

“I ran up here and saw the fire truck inside the bank and a car over here on the sidewalk," said another witness. “I was like, ‘Wow, how did that happen?’”

One of the officer’s relatives said the family is praying he will pull through and that he was showing positive signs in the hospital Thursday night.

The four firefighters who were injured have minor injuries, officials said.

Boston Fire crews were responding to a two-alarm fire on Dorchester Avenue, about 1 1/2 miles from the crash, when the firetruck slammed into the bank. It’s unclear if the truck that crashed was on the way to help with that fire.

As of 6:30 a.m., the truck was still inside the building and crews were blocking off the area and re-routing traffic.

Boston Police say they are investigating what happened and looking at video that captured the impact. Mayor Marty Walsh says they are keeping the officer’s family in their thoughts.

“Myself and Commissioner Gross went to visit [the officer] and his family in the hospital today," said Walsh. “His injuries are serious and he and his family need our prayers right now.”

Off-duty Boston police officer critically injured after collision with firetruck in Dorchester

A fundraiser has been created for the police officer and his family.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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