2 Mass. Officers Injured By Texting Drivers In 3 Days, Police Say

LEOMINSTER (CBS) -- For the second time in three days, a texting driver has injured a Massachusetts police officer, officials say.

Leominster police said two officers were responding to an accident on the Leominster Connector at about 9:16 p.m. on Tuesday when the cruiser they were in was struck from behind by a 2003 Saturn.

A male officer was hospitalized with a left elbow injury and has since been released. The female officer he was training was not hurt.

Police say 21-year-old Brandon Monaghan of Ashburnham was texting and not looking up when he struck the cruiser. He was not injured.

Monaghan was cited for texting while driving, operating recklessly and not having his license in possession, police said. It's not yet clear if he'll face charges.

On Sunday, a 22-year-old driver admitted she was texting before hitting an officer's cruiser, according to Falmouth police.

The early-morning crash sent both the driver and the officer to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The officer has since been treated and released.

The cruiser had its emergency lights flashing at the time as it blocked a roadway.

Police say Erikka Williams, of East Falmouth, was not impaired but admitted to texting on her cellphone prior to the crash.