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Police cruiser hit during attempt to stop wrong-way driver on I-91 in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A wrong-way driver was arrested after hitting a police cruiser and two other vehicles, forcing the closure of the southbound side of Interstate 91 in Springfield Tuesday night.

Massachusetts State Police got several calls about a pickup truck driving north on the southbound side of I-91 near Longmeadow around 10 p.m, according to a news release from the MSP.

A trooper attempted to stop the driver, who was then traveling in the breakdown lane, by positioning his cruiser in front of the oncoming vehicle. The suspect did not stop, according to the release, and hit the cruiser. The driver then hit two other cars before flipping over.

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The suspect, who police identified only as a West Springfield man, was uninjured and showed “obvious signs of impairment,” when he was removed from his vehicle, according to police. He was transported to the State Police barracks in Springfield for booking.

The trooper had minor injuries and was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for evaluation; the cruiser was significantly damaged.

Police said another driver hit by the suspect also had minor injuries.

Travel lanes reopened just after midnight.

The unnamed suspect is expected to face charges of operating under the influence and other offenses, according to police. It’s not clear when the suspect is scheduled to be arraigned.

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