Tewksbury Man Charged After Hitting State Police Cruiser

A 21-year-old Tewksbury man has been charged in an that sent him and a Massachusetts state trooper to the hospital Monday night.

Matthew B. Friedland of Tewksbury was charged Tuesday morning with negligent operation of a motor vehicle; failure to change lanes for an emergency vehicle; failure to slow down for workers or equipment in the road; failure to obey signs and signals; and failure to wear a seatbelt.

According to Massachusetts State Police spokesman David Procopio, Friedland drove his 2005 Lincoln LS sedan into a road construction set-up on Route 93 South in Woburn at 8:35 p.m. Monday night.

State trooper Sean Hodgdon was sitting in his parked cruiser with the emergency lights on at the time, working a paid detail for Aggregate Construction/Sealcoating, said Procopio.

According to police evidence, Friedland drove past the cruiser's emergency lights, an illuminated arrow board, reflective barrels, and a light tower before striking the cruiser.

"Friedland was driving in the right lane, disregarded the warning signs, and collided with the rear of the cruiser and then the right guardrail, causing major damage to the Lincoln and the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria cruiser," said Procopio.

Hodgdon was transported by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital with minor injuries. He was treated and released overnight. Friedland was transported to Lahey Clinic in Burlington for treatment of minor injuries and further evaluation.