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For second straight night, state trooper hit by vehicle

E-mail|Link|Comments () July 5, 2010 12:22 PM

By Alex Katz, Globe Correspondent

For the second time in as many nights, a state trooper was seriously injured after being struck by a car early this morning, according to officials from the Massachusetts State Police.

Captain Frank Hughes, a 24-year veteran of the state police, was directing traffic in Cambridge following the Fourth of July concert and fireworks display on the Esplanade when he was hit by an allegedly drunk driver at approximately 12:30 a.m., police said.

The crash threw Hughes onto the car’s hood, causing serious injuries. He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where he was treated and released this morning.

"He's doing well recovering at home," State Police Sergeant Matthew Murray said.

The driver, Felix Morales, 30, of East Boston, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and other offenses. He is being held at State Police Brighton Barracks and will be arraigned tomorrow in Cambridge District Court.

State police said the facts and circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.

On Sunday morning, another state trooper suffered a leg injury while working a highway detail in Peabody after a car sideswiped him in an apparent hit-and-run.

"It's obviously disturbing that in 24 hours we've had two state troopers injured," Murray said. "It's a danger that state troopers and all law enforcement officers face every day. Thankfully in these two situations the injuries weren't more severe."