LYNN – Running a red light, excessively speeding and not wearing a seat belt appear to be major factors in a July 12 accident involving a pair of Lynn police cruisers that severely injured officer Gregory LeBlanc, according to the official State Police accident report obtained by The Item.
LeBlanc, an 8-year veteran and father of two, was hospitalized for several weeks and remains out of work seven months after his cruiser collided with another operated by Lt. Christopher Reddy at the intersection of Chestnut Street and Western Avenue.
The two men and several other officers responded to a call for help on Verona Street from Officer John McKenna after he lost radio contact while chasing an armed man.
According to the report, the accident occurred after LeBlanc, who was traveling northbound on Western Avenue, ran a red light while traveling about 21 miles per hour. Eyewitnesses, including Officer Paul Holey, who was traveling behind Reddy on Chestnut Street, told investigators LeBlanc appeared to have a red light when he drove into the intersection.
The report, however, said Reddy, who was going westbound on Chestnut Street, was traveling 66 mph as he approached the intersection, then slowed to 57 mph when he drove through a green light and “T-boned” LeBlanc’s car. The speed limit on Chestnut Street is 30 mph.
LeBlanc’s cruiser flipped in the air at least once before it came to rest on top of Reddy’s car. The impact caused both cars to spin out, toppling a traffic light and knocking over several newspaper boxes.
The two officers were not wearing seat belts, the report said. Massachusetts law exempts on-duty police officers from wearing seat belts.
“We encourage our officers to wear them but it’s up to their discretion,” Deputy Police Chief Kevin Coppinger said shortly after the crash.
Reddy, a 23-year veteran and its first division executive officer received minor injuries and was able to return to work within days. He declined comment for this article.
LeBlanc had to be extricated from his vehicle by the Lynn Fire Department and taken by helicopter to a Boston hospital. LeBlanc did not return a request for comment last week.
LeBlanc’s wife, Linda, said in a July interview that her husband underwent three surgeries in two weeks and suffered a shattered pelvis among other injuries.
The cost of LeBlanc’s medical bills as of late December reached $410,000, Coppinger said in a January interview. He said the city would likely have to pay $205,000 of those bills after insurance coverage kicks in. Where exactly the money will come from, especially in the face of local aid cuts, is a mystery right now.
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Coppinger said. “We’re not budgeted for this money. This is an abnormality for us.”
Only $50,000 is set aside in the yearly police budget to pay for officer injuries, he said.
Coppinger said LeBlanc appeared to be improving when he saw him at a holiday function in December. He said LeBlanc had been walking with a cane at a September golf tournament.
“He’s walking, still gingerly, but he’s out and about and making progress,” Coppinger said. “It might be a few more months before we see him back here on a light duty basis.”
Police Chief John Suslak declined to release the report after repeated requests by The Item last fall. The newspaper obtained the report after filing a Freedom of Information Act request with State Police.
In a recent interview, Suslak said the accident was an unfortunate occurrence that serves as a reminder of the daily risks police officers face.
“This accident reminds us of the dangers of the job,” he said.
Suslak says that he would like to discuss the accident with LeBlanc, Reddy and superior officers upon LeBlanc’s return. He said LeBlanc and Reddy would not face any disciplinary action.
“I think Greg has been through more than enough,” Suslak said. “I think we’ll use this as a learning experience.”
State Police Sgt. Kerry Alvino wrote the 82-pag
