SALISBURY, Mass. — A Massachusetts State Police Trooper has been hospitalized with serious injuries after his cruiser was struck on I-95 South.
State Police say the incident occurred around 2:15 p.m., when a State Trooper had pulled his vehicle over on Interstate 95 South (prior to Interstate 495) in Salisbury to remove a ladder from the left travel lane.
Once the ladder was removed, the trooper went back into his cruiser when it was suddenly struck by another vehicle.
Additional troopers, alongside Salisbury EMS, responded to the scene to treat the injured trooper and driver.
Video captured by a Boston 25 viewer shows the aftermath of the crash.
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The trooper was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital in New Hampshire, and the operator of the other vehicle was transported to Lawrence General Hospital.
MassDOT also responded to the scene to clear debris from the highway.
Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble issued a statement, saying that authorities will be investigating the crash while the injured trooper recovers from injury.
<i>“In the days and weeks ahead, the State Police will fully investigate the facts and circumstances of this crash, including the actions of the driver as well as the ladder in the roadway that prompted the Trooper to stop in the first place. We do so while keeping our focus on our injured colleague, who has the full support of the Massachusetts State Police as he recovers from several serious injuries.” </i>
<i>“This incident also underscores a broader, ongoing concern for the safety of those who work on our highways. Far too often, drivers fail in their responsibility to slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles displaying their lights. This law exists to protect lives. If not for this Trooper’s decision to wear his seatbelt, the outcome could have been even more tragic.” </i>
— Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble
The driver of the other vehicle, 24-year-old Josue Levi Cuevas Santana of Lawrence, will be charged with the following offenses:
- Negligent operation
- Speeding
- Using a mobile device while driving
- Failure to move over for an emergency vehicle
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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