WESTFIELD – A city native who serves as a state trooper was taken to Noble Hospital late late night after the state police cruiser he was operating on the Massachusetts Turnpike was rammed by a vehicle which had been operating in the wrong lane of the pike.
David Procopio, a state police spokesperson, reported this morning that troopers responded to multiple reports shortly before 11 p.m. yesterday of a motorist traveling eastbound in the westbound lane and dispatched two cruisers to intercept the wrong-way driver.
Procopio reports that the troopers found the wrong-way vehicle but the operator evaded the cruisers by driving on the verge of the roadway.
The troopers gave pursuit and when they again caught up with him near Exit Three in Westfield the man drove his vehicle into a cruiser operated by Trooper Carlos Nunez, a Westfield native and a member of a family with a strong law enforcement background.
Nunez, an eight-year veteran who was assigned to duties on the turnpike about a year ago, was transported to Noble Hospital where he is reported to have been treated and released.
“Thank god he’s okay” said his brother, Westfield Police Capt. Hipolito Nunez.
The operator was not reported to have been injured in the crash and has been identified as Jeffrey F. Zielenski, 49, of 110 Strong St., Easthampton.
He was arrested and is expected to be arraigned today in Westfield District Court on charges which include operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of a property-damage accident, and driving to endanger.
