PEABODY — A suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way on Route 1 crashed into a Massachusetts State Police cruiser shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, injuring a trooper and prompting criminal charges against the driver, authorities said.
According to State Police, a trooper from the Danvers Barracks observed the wrong-way driver traveling south in the northbound lane of Route 1 in Peabody. The trooper immediately alerted fellow troopers, who coordinated efforts to stop additional vehicles from entering the roadway and protect other motorists from the wrong-way driver.
Within minutes, the driver collided with a marked State Police cruiser operated by one of the responding troopers.
Both the trooper and driver were transported by ambulance to a local hospital. State Police said the trooper suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver was identified as Lucas Gustavo Brajak DeAlmeida Benedetto, 41, of Newburyport. After being treated and released from the hospital, Benedetto was charged with several offenses, including operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and driving the wrong way on a state highway.
Benedetto is expected to be arraigned Monday in Peabody District Court.
