City cruiser crashes on West Street
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A Rutland City Police officer is put into an ambulance at the scene of a crash on West Street in Rutland on Thursday. Vyto Starinskas / Rutland Herald |
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By Brent Curtis Staff Writer - Published: July 3, 2009
State police are trying to determine what caused a Rutland police officer to veer his cruiser into oncoming traffic Thursday, causing an accident that sent the officer and another motorist to the hospital.
Officer Gary Tobin, 52, a veteran of the department, suffered injuries to his knees and a possible concussion but was listed in good condition at Rutland Regional Medical Center Thursday evening.
Proctor resident Mary Smith, the 78-year-old driver in the other car, was also taken to the hospital where she was treated for chest discomfort and released.
Witnesses saw Tobin's cruiser, traveling west on West Street at the intersection with Merchants Row, cross the yellow line and collide with Smith's 2008 Mercedes 300, which was stopped at the red light. The collision pushed Smith's car back about 50 feet from the top of the turn lane.
The front ends of both vehicles were meshed together in the eastbound lane of traffic in front of 138 Main St.
Police closed off West Street between Merchants Row and Evelyn Street while emergency medical responders treated the drivers and State Police troopers investigated the crash.
It's unclear what happened to Tobin in the moments before the crash.
State Trooper Adam Boynton, who is investigating the crash, said a witness said Tobin appeared to be having a seizure as he drove through the intersection. Police and city Public Works employees at the scene said Tobin was pale and unresponsive when he was pulled from the cruiser.
Police Sgt. John Sly, who oversees Tobin's shift, said the former school resource officer and DARE officer didn't appear sick or disoriented earlier in the day when he came on duty. He also said Tobin's health record didn't include conditions that caused seizures.
"We're all dumbfounded," Sly said. "We have no explanation for what happened."
Tobin doesn't know what happened either, Sly said.
After regaining consciousness at the hospital, Tobin said he has no memory of the crash or the moments leading up to it, Sly and Boynton said.
Boynton said physicians at the hospital were evaluating Tobin for a possible medical condition that would cause him to lose consciousness.
Sly said Tobin would remain at the hospital overnight for observation. He also said Tobin would not be cleared to return to work if there was any indication that a medical condition existed that could cause similar blackouts in the future.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Boynton at 773-9101.
brent.curtis@rutlandherald.com