Lawrence, MA (September 8, 2026) – Several people received minor injuries after two police cruisers and a pickup truck were involved in a collision at Essex and Amesbury streets around 11:25 a.m. on Sunday, September 6.
The cruisers were traveling to assist another officer with emergency lights and sirens activated. Surveillance video showed them entering the intersection from different directions, striking each other, and then hitting a pickup stopped at a traffic signal.
Everyone involved was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. No serious injuries were reported, although all three vehicles showed extensive damage.
The crash remains under investigation. We hope everyone hurt recovers fully.
Emergency Vehicle Travel Through Intersections Requires Added Coordination
Emergency vehicles may enter intersections against normal traffic patterns while using lights and sirens. Other motorists must recognize those warnings quickly, but drivers of separate emergency vehicles also need to account for one another when approaching the same crossing.
Buildings, stopped traffic, parked vehicles, and roadway geometry can limit sight lines at busy urban intersections. Even with warning equipment active, two drivers approaching from different directions may have only seconds to identify another vehicle entering their path.
Speed, communication, signal timing, and visibility can all influence how safely emergency traffic moves through a junction. Civilian drivers should remain stopped when necessary and avoid sudden movements until emergency vehicles have completely cleared the intersection.
