MAN RUNS OVER MASSACHUSETTS FIREFIGHTER

A Framingham man led police on a multi-town chase on Saturday after his car struck a firefighter answering a medical call, police said. Thomas Senecal, 47, was finally arrested more than three hours after the 9:07 a.m. incident on Irene Road when the Massachusetts State Police stopped his vehicle on Rte. 128 in Topsfield, police spokesman Lt. Paul Shastany said.

The Police and Fire departments had gone to Senecal's 11 Irene Road at 9 a.m. for a medical call, he said. They found Senecal sitting behind the wheel of his Chevrolet Cavalier with a police scanner in the front seat. In the backseat, officers saw a chain and a spaded shovel. Shastany said Senecal was putting on some leather work gloves when he suddenly put the car in reverse, almost hitting his own house, and then speeding forward.

Senecal struck a police cruiser and then hit a female firefighter who tried to jump out of the way. She suffered what appeared to be minor injuries to her neck and back. Senecal also struck a police motorcycle, knocking it to the ground, Shastany said.

"The officers chased him," the lieutenant said. "His hazardous driving was reported to Wayland dispatch, and when he crossed into Wayland, they joined the chase." The pursuit continued through Wayland into Weston. The chase was called off when Senecal drove onto Rte. 128.

The Framingham Police put a BOLO, or "be on the lookout," on the police wire but did not hear anything until 12:35 p.m. At that time, a motorist on Rte. 128 in Topsfield called the state police to report a car driving on the highway going 25 mph with the windshield wipers working even though it was sunny out.

A state police trooper stopped Senecal, and took him into custody. He was taken to the MetroWest Medical Center's Framingham Union campus for treatment. Police did not say what type of treatment, but Senecal was described by police as being a mentally troubled man after he was arrested in October for an assault.

Senecal was not arrested because he is in the hospital, but he will be charged with attempted murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, the failure to stop for police, operating a vehicle negligently as to endanger, leaving the scene of an accident causing personal injury and leaving the scene of an accident causing property damage.