MA Trooper, K9 Hospitalized After I-495 Crash

HOPKINTON, MA — A state trooper and a K9 were injured and hospitalized Monday afternoon in a collision along I-495 in the southbound lanes, according to state police.

The incident happened just after 1:30 p.m. when an 81-year-old driver from Connecticut in an SUV rear-ended the trooper, who was parked in the breakdown lane. State police said the trooper was working a "road detail" at the time of the crash.

The trooper was taken to UMass Memorial in Worcester for treatment, and the K9 was taken to the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton. The Connecticut driver was also injured and hospitalized, state police said.

"We’re pleased to report that our Trooper and his K9 partner who were injured when their cruiser was struck from behind yesterday are doing well. Both were held overnight for observation at their respective hospitals. They were on a detail protecting a road crew when they were hit," state police said in a tweet Tuesday.

The cause of the crash was still under investigation as of Tuesday morning, and state police did not immediately announce any charges against the driver.