Allegedly Drunk Driver Slams Into Pepperell Police Cruiser

PEPPERELL (CBS) – A Pepperell police officer is recovering after his cruiser was hit early Saturday morning by an allegedly drunk driver.

Sgt. Nick Parker was driving on Main Street just after midnight when his cruiser was hit by a 2000 Honda Accord being driven by Rosemary Miller, 21, of North Chelmsford.

Witnesses told police Miller never slowed down at an intersection and slammed into the front driver's side of Parker's cruiser.

The cruiser skidded about 150 feet off the road and almost hit a dry cleaning business and a bank of gas meters, police said.

Parker was trapped in the cruiser temporarily. Another driver who witnessed the crash helped Parker out of the passenger side door.

The officer was taken by ambulance to Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer with minor injuries. He was recovering at home as of Saturday afternoon.

Miller was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to yield at an intersection.

"This is an example of what can happen when someone gets behind the wheel after consuming alcohol," Police Chief David Scott said. "We are thankful Sgt. Parker is OK. It could have been a lot worse."

According to witnesses, a man who was a passenger in Miller's car ran from the area after the crash.

Police said they know his identity, but are unsure why he ran.

Miller is scheduled to be arraigned in Ayer District Court on Monday.