Driver cited for going too fast for conditions after hitting State Police cruiser, injuring Trooper

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Aftermath of accident on Route 3 involving a State Police cruiser.
Aftermath of accident on Route 3 involving a State Police cruiser.

BEDFORD, NH – A New Hampshire State Police trooper was injured when his cruiser was struck by a motorist on Route 3 while he was stopped to assist a car stuck in the snow.

On Saturday January 31, 2015, at approximately 1:37 p.m., Trooper Nathan Johnston assigned to Troop B in Bedford, was dispatched to assist a disabled motor vehicle that had spun out and was stuck in a snow bank on the on ramp from Route 3 to the R.W. Drive West in Bedford.

Trooper Johnston positioned his cruiser behind the disabled vehicle with his blue lights activated in an attempt to warn other drivers to slow down and protect the disabled motorist while awaiting a tow truck.

Within moments of Trooper Johnston’s arrival a 2007 Chrysler Sebring driven by Kathleen Sudal, 38, of Merrimack, crashed into the side of Trooper Johnston’s cruiser causing significant damage to the cruiser as well as injuring Trooper Johnston.

Trooper Johnston taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Nashua where he was treated in the emergency room for back pain and released.

Sudal and a female passenger were not injured as a result of this crash.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.

This crash was a result of Sudal violating NH RSA 265:60(I) Speeding (Too Fast for the Existing Conditions, snow and wind).

 

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!