Report: Officer struck in North End was helping blind resident avoid truck

A Boston police officer who was struck by a truck in the North End on Thursday had been helping a blind man cross the street at the time of the incident, according to local reports.

The officer, who was not identified, was seriously injured when the back gate of a construction truck struck him around 12:40 p.m. near the intersection of North Washington and Thacher streets. 

Local resident Scott Hartmann told Boston 25 News that the uniformed officer was helping him cross North Washington Street as a construction truck was backing up. 

“We heard backup alarms going off, and I was visibly in distress. He clearly saw I was blind and using a guide dog. He came to my rescue to help me,” Hartmann told the outlet, calling it a “heroic act.”

“He actually stopped the truck that was coming. When the truck stopped, the back door wasn’t latched, and it came around and knocked him unconscious right to the ground,” he said.

Hartmann told Boston 25 that the officer saved his life. 

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. I would’ve been hit by that truck,” he said. 

Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Paul McLaughlin confirmed that the officer was working a paid detail helping a construction crew when the incident occurred. McLaughlin said the officer was taken to Mass. General Hospital with “serious injuries” that are not life-threatening. Details about his injuries weren’t released.

McLaughlin said an investigation is underway and that it was too early to say whether charges would be filed. 

The police department said on X that North Washington Street had been shut down between Keaney Square and New Chardon Street in both directions while police investigated. The road was reopened to traffic about three hours later.

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