MA State Trooper Dies After Mass. Pike Crash

WORCESTER, MA - A Massachusetts State Trooper has died after a speeding car crashed into his stationary vehicle during a traffic stop Wednesday afternoon on the Mass. Pike in Charlton.

Trooper Thomas Clardy, 44, was pronounced dead at UMass Medical Center, State Police Col. Richard McKeon said at an early evening press conference.

"He was extremely well-liked by the men and women he worked with and had a reputation as a hard worker, a good trooper, and a great man," McKeon said. "He was known for his professionalism and dedication. All who knew him have, today, borne witness to his outstanding character."

David Njuguna, 30, of Webster is being charged after striking Clardy's stationary vehicle. Njuguna suffered serious injuries and is at UMass Medical Center.

At approximately noon, Clardy conducted a motor vehicle stop in the breakdown lane during a supplemental shift before his 3 p.m. shift was scheduled to begin. He returned to his Ford Explorer to run the driver's information.

A Nissan Maxima, driven by Njuguna, was traveling in the left lane at a high rate of speed, witnesses told investigators. For reasons unclear, the car swerved right, crossing all three lanes of traffic, and hit Clardy's vehicle with the trooper inside.

Clardy's Explorer then hit the vehicle he had stopped and went into the grassy side of the highway. Troopers and other first responders found Clardy with traumatic injuries. They administered emergency first aid, including CPR.

Njuguna is being criminally summonsed with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failing to stay within marked lanes. Police are looking to immediately suspend his license. More charges could come as a result of the investigation.

Clardy's supplemental shift was called an Accident Incident Reduction Shift, which aims to prevent crashes.

Clardy was a US Marine Corps veteran. He joined the State Police in April 2005, graduating as a member of the 77th Recruit Training Troop. He started at the Brookfield, Northampton, and Sturbridge Barracks, and then for the Troop C Community Action Team. He was assigned to the Charlton Barracks in November 2012.

Clardy leaves behind a wife and six children.

The accident shut down the Pike in Charlton to allow the Flight for Life helicopter to land. Most lanes reopened by 1 p.m.

Law enforcement departments across the state expressed their support and condolences immediately following the accident.

• Sign up for free local news alerts and daily newsletter for your town.

Photo of Clardy courtesy of State Police Twitter. Photos of scene courtesy of WHDH, 7-News