Mass. state trooper almost hit by passing Mustang near I-91 car fire in Springfield

A Massachusetts State Police officer jumped over a guardrail to avoid being hit by a passing driver as he and other first responders worked at a car fire on Interstate 91 in Springfield early Thursday morning.

At around 2:02 a.m., state police and Springfield firefighters responded to reports of a vehicle fire on I-91 near Exit 3, state police said. The car’s driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

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“While we were working the scene, another driver disregarded the emergency flares and lights and almost hit one of our cruisers,” state police told MassLive. “The trooper, who was outside the cruiser setting up the flares, had to jump over the guardrail to avoid being struck.

The state trooper, who was not identified, was not injured and his cruiser was not damaged by the passing driver. The driver, a 20-year-old Springfield man, was driving in a 2010 Ford Mustang.

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The man is expected to be issued a summons to appear in court on charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle and speeding, state police said.

By 3:21 a.m., all lanes were reopened, state police said. It is unclear which lanes were initially after first responders arrived.

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MassLive breaking news reporter Irene Rotondo contributed to the reporting for this story.