State Police trooper, K-9 injured in I-495 crash
HOPKINTON - A Massachusetts State Police trooper and K-9 were injured when their cruiser was struck by a car on I-495 south in Hopkinton Monday afternoon.
The trooper and K-9 were stopped in the breakdown lane working a road detail when a Subaru Forester driven by an 81-year-old Connecticut man crashed into the rear of the cruiser, according to State Police.
Trooper Kenneth Hanchett, 37, was taken to UMass Medical Center in Worcester. His partner, K-9 Orry, was transported by EMS to Tufts Veterinary Hospital in North Grafton.
K-9 Orry's transport to the hospital was made possible by the passage of Nero's Law, which allows emergency workers to provide critical care to K-9 partners of police officers.
And here are MSP K9 Unit Trooper Ken Hanchett and his partner Orry reuniting at home today Each spent the night in the hospital after their cruiser was hit from behind yesterday by a motorist driving in the breakdown lane. They were on a detail protecting a road crew at the time. pic.twitter.com/D56T4KlJlY
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) December 20, 2022
Trooper Hanchett and Orry were held at the hospital overnight and released on Tuesday.
The driver of the Subaru suffered minor injuries and was also taken to the hospital. He is expected to face charges as a result of the crash.