Groton Officer Transported After Crash This Morning

GROTON — A Town of Groton police officer suffered minor injuries after colliding with another vehicle at an intersection this morning.

The officer, identified by Groton police as J. McKechnie, was transported to the Pequot Health Center, Groton, for treatment of minor injuries.

According to police, at about 6:45 a.m., McKechnie was responding to a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a car that struck a pedestrian in the area of Route 12 and Walker Hill Road in Groton.

McKechnie was responding with emergency lights and siren activated, police said in a statement issue Wednesday afternoon.

According to the department, McKechnie was traveling west on Poquonnock Road approaching the intersection of Plaza Court and Long Hill Road.

With the traffic signal red at the time, McKechnie attempted to clear the intersection at a slow speed, according to police.

As McKechnie traveled through the intersection, she was struck by a 1999 Subaru Forester being operated by Michael Dolan, 80, of Shennecossett Road, Groton.

The Forester was traveling south through the intersection from Plaza Court to Poquonnock Road through a green light.

Poquonnock Road in that area continues straight across the intersection and becomes Long Hill Road. Poquonnock Road then takes a sharp left and continues south.

This first accident caused the officer’s cruiser to be pushed into the left lane of the eastbound lane of Long Hill Road.

The cruiser then struck a 2007 Dodge Charger being operated by Lora Morrone, 56, of Long Hill Road, Groton.

The Charger was stopped for a red traffic light at the Long Hill Road and Poquonnock Road intersection.

Other Groton police officers, Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department personnel and an Electric Boat ambulance arrived on scene to assist all persons involved in the accident.

While McKechnie was transported for minor injuries, neither Dolan nor Morrone required medical treatment, police said.

This accident remains under investigation.

The Groton Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact them at (860) 441-6712.