News/State trooper struck by fleeing driver during Lowell traffic stop
State trooper struck by fleeing driver during Lowell traffic stop
From Larson Law · News. This article is written by Larson Law Boston, a personal injury law firm. It is not independent journalism. Read our editorial standards and corrections policy.
Author: Atty. Daniel J. Larson
Published: October 20, 2026
In brief
- A State Police trooper was struck by a driver fleeing a traffic stop on Church Street in Lowell on Sunday night, October 18.
- The trooper had minor injuries and was checked by Lowell EMS.
- State Police sought an arrest warrant for the driver. No arrest had been reported as of Monday.
A traffic stop on Church Street
A Massachusetts State Police trooper was hit by a car on Church Street in Lowell shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, when the driver he had pulled over got back behind the wheel and took off, State Police said in statements reported by NBC10 Boston and WHDH 7News.
The trooper, who works out of the Concord barracks, had stopped a black Infiniti sedan for a license plate violation. According to State Police, the driver was taken out of the car and questioned about a bag of what appeared to be marijuana. The driver then got back in, drove off and struck the trooper.
The trooper had minor injuries and was evaluated by Lowell Emergency Medical Services.
The search for the driver
State Police put out a be-on-the-lookout alert for the car and sought a warrant for the driver’s arrest. The charges listed include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, resisting arrest, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop for police, along with several traffic violations. No arrest had been reported as of Monday.
The charges are allegations, and anyone charged is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. In line with our editorial standards, Larson Law is not naming the driver.
Legal context from Larson Law
This section is the firm’s general explanation of Massachusetts law. It is not a statement about this incident or the people involved.
A criminal case and an injury claim are separate. Prosecutors decide whether to bring criminal charges, and a conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. A person who is hurt can bring a civil claim for their injuries. That claim is decided on a lower standard of proof and doesn’t depend on how the criminal case ends.
Police officers, firefighters and EMTs who are hurt on the job raise questions other injured workers don’t. Our guide to first responder injury claims in Massachusetts explains how the law treats them. When someone other than an employer causes a work injury, the injured worker may have a claim against that person as well as workplace benefits. Our guide to third-party claims after a workplace accident explains how that works.
Injury claims also have deadlines. Our page on Massachusetts injury claim deadlines and notice requirements lists each one with its statute.
Sources
- Massachusetts State Police, on the October 18 traffic stop, as reported by NBC10 Boston and WHDH 7News on October 19, 2026.
Corrections
No corrections yet. Corrections are made under our editorial standards and corrections policy. To report an error, email marketing@dlarsonlaw.com.
If you were hurt and have questions
These articles report what officials have said about events in Massachusetts. They are not advice about a specific situation, and what applies to a particular case depends on its facts. If something here raises a question about your own circumstances, you are welcome to get in touch.