Massachusetts: State Trooper Killed In Crash On Mass Pike In Charlton
A State Trooper was killed in a crash on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Charlton Wednesday afternoon. State Police identified the trooper as Thomas Clardy, 44. He was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had joined State Police in April 2005.Clardy had pulled over a Chevy Tahoe for speeding on the westbound side of the highway around noon. Clardy returned to his SUV when a Nissan Maxima slammed into the rear of his vehicle. Impact from the crash sent Clardy’s SUV down a nearby embankment. Clardy was rushed to the hospital by ambulance but did not survive.
David Njuguna, 30, of Webster has been charged following the crash.
Witnesses say Njuguna’s Maxima was operating at a high rate of speed. State Police said Njuguna, for unknown reasons, swerved across three lanes of traffic and hit Clardy’s SUV. Njuguna was taken by MedFlight helicopter to an area hospital with serious injuries.
Both sides of the highway were shut down so the helicopter could land on the road. First responders performed emergency first aid and CPR on Clardy before he was transported by ambulance.
Njuguna faces charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stay in marked lanes. Njuguna’s driving record includes an accident in 2012 and a suspended license for refusing to take a breathalyzer test in 2013.
Traffic was backed up for several miles on the westbound side of the Pike. In some spots, drivers could be seen standing outside of their cars on the highway.
State Police said Clardy was working a supplemental patrol shift aimed at reducing crashes. His regular shift was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Clardy, a Hudson resident, was the father of seven children. He was assigned to the Charlton barracks in 2012.
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