NORTHAMPTON — A Northampton police officer sustained a minor head injury after his cruiser was struck from behind by an alleged drunk driver while responding to a downed tree on Mt.
Tom Road near Island Road around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The officer was seated in his fully illuminated cruiser, awaiting an additional officer to assist in redirecting traffic, when his vehicle was suddenly hit from behind.
He was later treated and released from Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
The other driver, a 42-year-old Southampton man, remained at the scene and was uninjured despite heavy front-end damage and airbag deployment to his vehicle.
Following an investigation, he was arrested for operating under the influence and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
The roadway was reopened after approximately four hours of emergency crew repairs.
Northampton Fire Rescue and the Easthampton Police Department assisted at the scene.
