GREENFIELD — A Greenfield police officer on his way to an emergency call was involved in a car accident Thursday afternoon.
Patrolman Justin Thomas was en route to render aid to a person believed to be suffering from an overdose around 12:30 p.m. when his cruiser was struck by another car heading through the intersection of State Street and New Road.
Thomas and two people riding in the other vehicle received minor injuries and were taken to Hancock Regional Hospital to be checked out by doctors. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening, said Greenfield Police Chief Jeff Rasche.
Thomas was responding to a call about an unconscious person and was traveling east on New Road across State Street with his lights and sirens on at the time of the accident, Rasche said.
When he approached the intersection with State Street, he slowed down, Rasche said, knowing the intersection is busy. A van traveling north on State Street pulled out in front of Thomas’ patrol car, and the vehicles collided. It’s likely the driver, whose name had not been released at press time, didn’t hear or see Thomas coming, Rasche said.
A third car that was westbound on New Road, preparing to turn north onto State Street, also was involved in the accident after the cruiser and van collided. The driver was not injured, Rasche said.
Rasche said the accident was captured on the cruiser’s in-car camera and will be reviewed, but he doesn’t suspect the accident was caused by negligence on either driver’s part.
“We’re just thankful everyone will be OK,” he said.
Sheriff’s deputies went on to the 911 call. The patient’s condition was unknown at press time.
