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A West Springfield man is under arrest for drunk driving and other offenses after traveling the wrong way on Route 91 and striking an MSP cruiser and two other vehicles before rolling over.
The suspect, driving a pickup truck, entered Longmeadow, Mass., from Connecticut on Route 91, going north on the southbound side of the highway, at around 10 p.m. Massachusetts State Police began receiving calls from motorists reporting the wrong way operation.
An MSP Trooper who was on patrol around Mile Marker 3 quickly located the wrong way driver coming toward him. The suspect was in the breakdown lane. The Trooper positioned his cruiser in front of the wrong-way operator in an attempt to stop him and prevent injury to other motorists.
The suspect vehicle did not stop, hit the cruiser, and continued to go north in the southbound side. It struck two other vehicles before flipping over in Springfield.
The suspect was not injured when he crashed. He was taken out of his vehicle and Troopers observed obvious signs of impairment. The man was transported to State Police-Springfield, where he is currently being booked.
The Trooper was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for evaluation of injuries believed to be minor. He remains at the hospital undergoing tests at this time. His cruiser sustained significant damage.
According to preliminary information from the scene, at least one other motor vehicle operator struck by the wrong-way suspect suffered injuries, also believed to be minor.
State Police shut down all southbound lanes to facilitate the emergency response and crash investigation. All lanes were reopened at 12:01 a.m. today.
MSP Troopers were assisted at the scene by Longmeadow Firefighters and Massachusetts Department of Transportation workers.
