Wrong-way driver dead, State Police trooper seriously injured in Route 1 crash

“He will be remembered as a hero,” Noble mentioned.

He mentioned Trainor was making ready to journey residence from his shift round 2 am when a 911 caller reported a wrong-way driver heading southbound in the northbound lane on Rt. 1 in Lynnfield.

“The vehicle, a Jeep, collided with Trooper Trainor’s cruiser head on,” Noble mentioned. “In the blink of an eye, those reckless actions stole Kevin” from his household and coworkers.

“We know that there are difficult days that lie ahead,” Noble mentioned. “Kevin epitomized what it means to be a public servant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

His phrases have been echoed by Governor Maura Healey, a former state legal professional common.

“We lost a hero today,” Healey mentioned, providing condolences to his family members and colleagues. “He was doing heroic work in the early hours this morning when this terrible tragedy befell us.”

Brian Williams, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts, the union for troopers, additionally praised Trainor throughout the briefing.

Williams mentioned Trainor was “commuting home when he selflessly responded to a call involving a wrong-way operator, putting himself in harm’s way” to guard the general public.

“His actions reflect the very essence of service and dedication to the communities we serve,” Williams mentioned. “Trooper Trainor is a hero. He served with courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to” his colleagues and the general public.

Williams mentioned Trainor’s dying is a stark “reminder of the risks our members face each and every day.”

The trooper was amongst a number of officers responding to 911 calls from drivers who noticed a grey Jeep heading south in the northbound lanes round 2 am, based on police and Broadcastify recordings.

A trooper additionally noticed the car, based on dispatch recordings.

“I have a wrong-way traveling south on north Route 1 by the Lynnfield tunnel heading towards Saugus,” he advised dispatchers. “Gray Jeep. Massachusetts plates.”

About 17 seconds later, he reported seeing the 2 autos collide.

“Code 16,” he mentioned, utilizing State Police code for a motorcar crash. “Head-on. Start EMS. Two tows.”

The driver, whose title and age weren’t instantly obtainable, died on the scene, State Police mentioned.

Troopers struggled to extricate their colleague from the tangled wreckage, reporting at one level that he was trapped inside.

“Can you tell EMS to step it up and send fire? The door’s jammed and we can’t get the trooper out of the cruiser,” one mentioned, based on the recordings.

State Police have been going to have the injured trooper flown to a Boston hospital however after studying it will take a half hour for him to reach, they introduced him to Massachusetts General Hospital by ambulance.

Trainor, who was working a black SUV, was later pronounced lifeless, State Police mentioned.

“With the most profound sadness and deepest condolences to his family, classmates, and loved ones, the Massachusetts State Police can confirm that the Trooper struck in this morning’s wrong-way crash has succumbed to his injuries,” State Police mentioned in a press release at 9:15 am

In a press release earlier than the briefing, Healey mentioned she was “heartbroken” by the trooper’s dying and supplied her assist to his household.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Trooper’s family, loved ones, and with fellow members of the State Police during this incredibly difficult time,” she mentioned.

“The trooper was responding to reports of a wrong-way driver and put himself in harm’s way to protect others. This act of service and courage is what our State Police are called to do every day. They show up ready to face danger so the rest of us can be safe. Today, Massachusetts is mourning one of those heroes,” she mentioned.

Troopers and Boston police are gathering close to Massachusetts General Hospital to escort the trooper’s physique to the state Medical Examiner’s workplace on Albany Street, the place an post-mortem can be carried out.

“His actions saved lives today,” Trainor mentioned. “That is his legacy that he will be forever remembered by.”

Quite a lot of municipal police forces across the state additionally posted messages of condolence on social media, together with the Lynn Police Department.

“Our entire community is grieving following the tragic, line of duty death of a Massachusetts State Trooper who was struck and killed while responding to a wrong way driver on Route 1 in Lynnfield during the early morning hours,” mentioned Lynn police by way of X.

The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, the BPD’s largest union, mentioned by way of X: “Our hearts are heavy as soon as once more. @MassStatePolice Trooper was killed in the line of duty early this morning in a car crash while trying to intercept a wrong-way driver on Rte. 1 in Lynnfield. Our thoughts and prayers are with all impacted by this tragic accident. @MSPTroopers“

This is growing story and can be up to date. Travis Andersen of the Globe Staff contributed to this report.

John R. Element could be reached at john.ellement@globe.com. observe him @JREbosglobe.