Retired Burlington police officers hit, one seriously hurt by 75-year-old driver
BURLINGTON – Two retired Burlington police officers were hit by a 75-year-old driver and sent one of them airborne while working a construction detail on Wednesday.
It happened around 11:45 a.m. on Cambridge Street in Burlington near CVS when the two officers were working detail with Eversource.
Burlington police officer hit by SUV
Police said a 75-year-old Reading man was trying to park when he accidentally hit the gas pedal. Police said the vehicle jumped the curb and struck the officers, causing one officer to go airborne and land on top of the SUV.
The man's Chevy Equinox hit former Burlington Police Sgt. Timothy Kirchner, who retired in June after 32 years in the department and happens to be the deputy chief's brother. According the Burlington police, Kirchner remains with the department as a reserve officer following his retirement.
Burlington police said the second officer "immediately jumped into action." The officer helped the driver stop the vehicle, and assisted his injured colleague from on top of the vehicle.
Retired Sgt. Timothy Kirchner seriously hurt
Kirchner was taken to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center with serious arm, elbow and leg injuries. The second officer had cuts and scrapes, but was not seriously hurt.
The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with police. Video from the scene showed the SUV came to a stop on the sidewalk.
"As you know, we had the incident in Waltham last year, the incident in Billerica during this year here, it is a terrible thing," said Burlington Deputy Chief Bob Kirchner. "I always tell the officers, especially young kids when they first come on, you've got to watch everything. You've got to watch the traffic, you've got to watch the crew you're working with, you just don't know. Everything can happen in a split second. This happened in a split second today."
Massachusetts State Police and the Burlington Police Department are investigating the crash. No charges have been filed.