Massachusetts State Police lieutenant hit by stolen motorcycle in critical condition
A Massachusetts State Police lieutenant is in critical condition after he was thrown 45 feet in a hit-and-run crash in Revere Monday evening.
The trooper was standing outside of his cruiser on Revere Beach Boulevard in front of the Revere Barracks when he was hit by a stolen motorcycle just before 5 p.m., police said. He was rushed to a hospital in Boston. His name has not been released.
"I seen the bike do a wheelie ... and it just hit the guy right there," said Ron Melendez, who witnessed the crash.
Harry Shekhel had just parked his car when the trooper was hit.
"From what I could tell is that this guy had to have been going at an exceptionally high speed because the officer was hurt," Shekhel said. "The officer was in really bad shape. So, he hit the officer, officer went down, and the bike slid this way and then the guy took off running around the corner."
WBZ-TV I-Team sources said the motorcycle operator ran away, and a dirt bike involved in the incident was ditched at the Wonderland MBTA station. Those same sources confirmed that within three hours one suspect had been arrested and the other turned himself in.
One of them, 18-year-old Akram Elmoukhtari of Revere, will be arraigned Tuesday in Chelsea District Court. He's charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (the motorcycle) and receiving stolen property.
The other suspect has not been identified.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said she was "deeply saddened" by the incident.
"My thoughts are with the injured trooper, his family and the entire Department during this difficult time. I wish him strength and healing in the days ahead. This incident is another stark reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face every day. I am grateful for their continued bravery and service," he said in a statement.
This is the second time this month that a Massachusetts state trooper has been seriously hurt in a hit-and-run.
Trooper Sean Clark was hit by a driver on June 10 during a traffic stop on the Mass Pike in Chicopee. The driver was captured a few hours later. Clark is "in for a long recovery," according to State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble.
