MANCHESTER, NH – A Manchester Police cruiser was struck on Kelley Street moments after the officer driving it exited the cruiser and walked toward the West Side sub-station at 1:10 a.m. on Monday morning.
Officer Robert Megowen reports that he parked his cruiser in front of 165 Kelley St. on Feb. 5, leaving his K-9 partner Lynx inside of the marked police cruiser. Megowen heard the crash moments after exiting his police car. He turned around and saw heavy damage to his cruiser. He also observed a damaged Volvo less than a block from the crash site, so he approached on foot.
The driver of the 1999 Volvo had crashed into the curb on the south side of Kelley Street, west of Hevey Street. The inoperable Volvo sustained heavy front end and passenger side damage. The police cruiser sustained extensive damage to the driver’s side of the car, including a bent wheel and broken axel. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
Officer Megowen identified and spoke with the operator about the crash. She told Megowen she lost control of the vehicle while looking for an item inside of her car. Sgt. Robert Keating also spoke with the woman and determined the crash was attributed to driver inattentiveness. The woman was released from the scene and was not charged in the incident.
K-9 Lynx was cleared by a veterinarian to resume duties with Officer Megowen.
