Fleeing Driver Runs Down Mass. Troopers, Plows Through Cruisers

A reckless driving suspect hit two state police cruisers, mowed down one trooper and then fought with police before being taken into custody on Route 495 after midnight Thursday.

At 12:50 a.m. Massachusetts State Police were alerted to a yellow Honda driving erratically on Route 495 south in Methuen. Troopers were able to stop the suspect, Eric Duffy, 34, in Lowell.

Duffy refused to comply with instructions, and things got worse from there.

Moments after turning off his engine, Duffy restarted the car and peeled away, pursued by the officers.

The driver pulled into Haffner’s gas station in Westford, jumped out of the vehicle, spun around and got back in.

One trooper attempted, unsuccessfully, to tase Duffy, who whipped into reverse and slammed into a cruiser, according to state police.

Duffy lurched forward, knocking a cop on foot onto his hood. The cop rolled down, and Duffy hit the road again.

Cops chased the Honda down on Route 495 north, successfully boxing Duffy in, but not before being rear-ended.

Duffy was removed from the car and fought officers. He was eventually subdued and taken into custody.

Duffy, the trooper hit by the car and another trooper injured in the fight all landed in the hospital.

Duffy was charged with nine offenses, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He remains hospitalized. Details on his arraignment have not been set yet.

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