Massachusetts State Police Trooper killed in Mass Pike crash

A Massachusetts State Police Trooper was killed in a crash on the Massachusetts Turnpike Wednesday.

Trooper Thomas Clardy, 44, was struck by a car while he was conducting a traffic stop in the breakdown lane. 

At a news conference at the State Police barracks on Wednesday, officials said Clardy stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. 

Officials said Clardy walked up to the car to get information, and then returned to his vehicle to process the stop. 

A Nissan Maxima was traveling in the left lane at what witnesses said appeared to be a high rate of speed. For unknown reasons, the car veered across three lanes and, without slowing, struck the trooper’s cruiser while the trooper was inside. 

Officials said responding troopers found Clardy inside the car with traumatic injuries and administered medical assistance. 

Clardy was transported to UMass Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. 

The driver of the Maxima, David Njuguna, 30 of Webster, was taken via medical helicopter to the hospital with serious injuries.

He is charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stay in marked lanes.

Njuguna’s license was suspended and revoked on Thursday because Police believe he poses an "immediate threat."

He was served with a criminal summons Wednesday night. 

He remains in the hospital. 

At the time of the crash, Clardy was working a shift intended to reduce highway crashes. His normal shift starts at 3 p.m., officials said. 

Clardy was a United States Marine Corps veteran. He joined the State Police in April 2005. 

He then worked out of the Northampton and Sturbridge Barracks, and then for the Troop C Community Action Team. He was assigned to the Charlton Barracks in November 2012. 

According to Colonel Richard McKeon, Clardy was well-liked by his colleagues and "had a reputation as a hard worker, a good trooper and a great man." 

Clardy is survived by his wife Reisa and the couple’s six children, who range in age from 4 to 17.

"We will never be able to fill the hole that is left in their lives from this day forward, but they will always be part of our State Police family," McKeon said. "We will forever hold them tight to our hearts, for the rest of their lives."

An investigation into the deadly crash is ongoing. Sources tell 7News that officers are focusing on Njuguna’s phone to determine whether he was texting during the incident. 

Records show police cited the driver twice in the past two years. In 2013, his licenses was suspended for 180 days after he refused to take a breathalyzer. 

State Police escorted Clardy’s body to the medical examiner’s office in Boston on Wednesday afternoon. 

In a statement, Gov. Charlie Baker said:

“Lauren and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Trooper Thomas Clardy who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, fellow troopers and the entire law enforcement community during this very difficult time.”
 
 

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