Man Charged In Crash Injuring Stonington Police Sergeant: Police

STONINGTON, CT — A man is facing charges that he struck a police cruiser in February, seriously injuring a police sergeant, according to state police. David MacCracken, 53, of North Stonington, was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, possession of a controlled substance, and second-degree assault with a motor vehicle.

A Stonington police sergeant was conducting traffic control at a construction site on Route 184 east of Taugwonk Road in Stonington on Feb. 20. At 11:13 a.m., MacCracken was driving on Route 184.

Several 911 callers reported this his vehicle "was being operated erratically as it approached" the police sergeant. MacCracken sped around stopped traffic at the construction site, striking the sergeant's police cruiser, according to police.

Sgt. Mario Ritacco was injured and transported via Lifestar to Rhode Island Hospital.

MacCracken was traveling at a speed of 54 to 67 mph when his Toyota Camry Solara hit the police cruiser, according to an arrest warrant. The speed limit at the site was 45 mph.

Ritacco said that he had stopped eastbound traffic to allow westbound traffic to continue, according to the arrest warrant. He recalled signaling to an eastbound propane truck, which began to slow as he directed it to stop.

However, a Toyota passed the propane truck in the westbound lane. Ritacco realized the car wasn't going to stop and ran toward the rear of his cruiser to avoid being struck. The car then hit the cruiser which struck the victim.

Following a police investigation, MacCracken was arrested. He turned himself in to Troop E in Montville on Friday.

His bond was set at $250,000. He was scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court on April 14.

See related: Stonington Police Sergeant Working Road Job Detail Hit By Vehicle: PD