Charlton & Oxford, MA – A 33-year-old Dorchester man was captured in Oxford after he drove on the wrong side of Route 20, struck a Charlton Police Cruiser, and led officers on a chase.
At approximately 1:47 a.m. on Friday, January 19th, 2024, the Charlton Dispatch Center began receiving calls of a wrong-way driver traveling East in the West lanes of Worcester Rd (Route 20) in the area of Old Worcester Rd.
According to the Charlton Police Department, all three officers who were on duty were on a call in the North side of town and immediately cleared to respond to Route 20. Two additional officers working a paid detail at a separate location on Worcester Rd also cleared and responded to the area arriving in minutes. In addition to Charlton Officers, Massachusetts State Troopers, and several surrounding towns began shifting units towards Route 20.
When officers arrived in the area they attempted to conduct a stop of the vehicle matching the description from the 911 calls. The vehicle refused to stop and continued onto Richardson Corner Rd. The vehicle quickly turned around to head back towards Worcester Rd and came to a stop a short time later.
As officers approached the vehicle, it sped away leaving the roadway and striking a Charlton Police cruiser disabling it. The vehicle then continued East on Route 20 with a Charlton Officer in pursuit.
Oxford officers who had pre-positioned in the area of Route 20 and Route 56 (Leicester Rd) in their town deployed “spike strips” successfully deflating multiple tires on the suspect vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop before Route 56.
The man then led officers on a short foot pursuit before being placed in custody.
One officer was treated and released for minor injuries sustained while apprehending the suspect.
The 33-year-old Dorchester man was arraigned in Dudley District Court on January 19th on the following charges:
- Assault with a dangerous weapon
- Malicious destruction of property over $1200
- Leaving the scene of a property damage crash X3
- Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
- Failure to stop for the police
- Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license
- Marked lane violation