State trooper injured when cruiser struck on Interstate 93

Cruiser being towed after Christmas Eve crash (NHSP photo)

SALEM - A state trooper was injured on Christmas Eve when his cruiser was struck while investigating a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 93 in Salem.

The crash occurred around 8:45 a.m. on the I-93 Northbound Exit 1 off-ramp, according to a state police press release sent out on Saturday afternoon.

Upon arrival it was determined that a state trooper was positioned in the far left lane, with emergency blue lights activated, investigating a separate motor vehicle crash when it was struck from behind. The trooper was inside the cruiser at the time of the crash. The vehicle that struck the cruiser was identified as a 2009 Mercedes C300 sedan driven by Kylie Garcia, 21, of Methuen, Mass.

As a result of the crash, the trooper was transported to the Parkland Medical Center for minor injuries. Garcia and her passengers were not injured. Preliminary investigation indicates that speed, existing road conditions and failure to negotiate the curve of the ramp were factors of the crash.

All aspects of this crash remain under investigation and anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact Trooper Timothy Repucci at Timothy.R.Repucci@dos.nh.gov or (603)223-8836.