Crime & Safety
OUI Suspect Crashes Into Cruiser, Says He 'Had To Get To Work'
Two officers and a K9 unit were injured in the crash. The suspect was released on personal recognizance.
EASTHAMPTON, MA — A man who told police he "had to get work" after drunkenly crashing into a cruiser causing injuries to two officers and a K9 partner was arrested Wednesday night.
The officers in the cruiser and K9 unit Gino all appeared to suffer at least minor injuries, Easthampton Police said. Gino has a follow-up vet appointment Thursday.
The suspect, 24-year-old Nicholas Bilger of Holyoke, suffered minor injuries.
Police said officers were en route to a party where drugs were being taken when Bilger, who was coming from the party, sped into the cruiser head-on on Old Springfield Road.
The cruiser, which stopped before the crash, suffered major damage. Bilger's vehicle bounced off the cruiser into the woods.
Gino had to be extricated from the cruiser. The airbags smashed into his K9 compartment, slamming him into the other side, police said.
Bilger drunkenly apologized, police said, saying he "had to get work."
Bilger's breath test showed more than twice the legal limit of alcohol, police said. He was charged with OUI liquor (second offense,) unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, unregister and uninsured motor vehicle, attaching the wrong license plates, and several civil motor vehicle infractions.
Bail was set at $40. Bilger was released on personal recognizance.
Easthampton Police photos
