Officer at Fault in Cruiser Crash on One-Way Street

An Aug. 5 accident on New Dunstable Road involving a Nashua Police cruiser was caused by the officer, who was driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

"I don't have the report yet, but I can tell you the accident was our fault," said Nashua Police Chief John Seusing, on Wednesday.

According to Seusing, New Hampshire State Police have not yet filed the final report, however, Nashua Police Officer Kevin Pucillo was at fault when he turned onto Joffre Street.

Seusing said Pucillo was answering a non-emergency call in the south end of town for two young children, ages 2 and 4, who could not find their parent.

As Pucillo was crossing New Dunstable Road on Joffre he was struck by the driver of a pick-up truck, who did not anticipate oncoming traffic from that direction. The cruiser was struck on the driver's side. The driver and a passenger suffered minor injury, as did Pucillo. Both vehicles were "extensively" damaged in the crash, Seusing said.

"It was our fault and we'll take full responsibility. There were no speed issues for either vehicle. It was just a matter of the officer didn't realize he was going the wrong way on a one-way street," Seusing said. 

"It's something in my younger days that, as someone who drives for a living, I have done myself," Seusing said.

He said Pucillo has been with the police department for two or three years. Although the accident is under review, Seusing said he did not expect any further action to be taken against Pucillo for the accident.