State Trooper Seriously Injured by Alleged Drunk Driver on Mass. Pike in Newton

Today, at approximately 2:51 a.m., troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Weston responded to a single vehicle crash on Route 90 West in Newton by Highland Street that resulted serious injuries to a State Trooper who was hit, while outside his cruiser, by an alleged drunk driver.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Mark Augusta indicates that a 2008 Nissan Maxima operated by 23-year-old Patrick J. Sullivan of 84 Parker Road, Framingham, was traveling on Route 90 West in the breakdown lane when the vehicle struck the State Trooper, 49-year-old Dana Cresta, a 23 year veteran of the police, who was outside of his cruiser investigating a previous crash. The impact threw the Trooper through the Nissan's windshield. The Trooper was subsequently thrown away from the point of impact.

The Trooper sustained serious injuries and he was transported by ambulance to Beth Israel Hospital, where he remains hospitalized. Trooper Cresta condition is improving but his injuries are serious.

Sullivan, who was not injured, was placed under arrest and charged with operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury, operating in the breakdown lane and operating to endanger. He will be arraigned next week. A passenger in the Nissan, 22-year-old Adam C. Neshe of Framingham, was not injured, and does not face charges.

At the time that he was hit, the Trooper was outside his cruiser investigating an earlier single-car crash, which occurred at 2:20 a.m. at the same location on Route 90 West. The occupants of the vehicle involved fled that scene before police arrived.

This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The Newton Fire Department and Turnpike Maintenance assisted troopers at the scene.

No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.