Alleged drunk driver faces charges in crash with trooper

By OWEN BOSS
Staff Writer

WILLIAMSBURG — A state trooper was injured on his commute home Monday night when his cruiser was struck head-on by an alleged drunk driver on Route 9, according to police.

The crash occurred at 8:20 p.m., when Trooper Daniel Soto, who is assigned to the Hampden County State Police Detective Unit, was driving west on Route 9 in an unmarked 2006 Ford F-150 pick-up truck, according to police. A vehicle driven by Douglas M. Bardsley, 25, of Holyoke swerved across the dividing line and struck a car traveling in front of him before it accelerated and hit his truck head-on.

Bardsley pleaded innocent Tuesday in Northampton District Court to charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol second offense and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Judge W. Michael Goggins released Bardsley on the condition that he avoid drugs and alcohol, submit to random screenings and not operate a motor vehicle; he is scheduled for a pretrial hearing Oct. 2.

According to court documents, after hitting Soto’s vehicle, Bardsley reportedly continued to accelerate and pushed the truck onto the other side of the road before stopping.

Before being transported to Cooley Dickinson Hospital with minor injuries, Bardsley reportedly told police on scene that he had three beers before driving and was resting his eyes when he crossed into oncoming traffic. While being treated at the hospital, physicians told police they believed Bardsley was “extremely intoxicated,” according to court documents.

Soto, a former Northampton officer, was also taken to Cooley Dickinson Hospital with injuries to his knees and legs, according to police. A hospital spokeswoman said he was treated and released.

The driver of the other car, Richard Hillenbrand, 88, of Williamsburg and a passenger, Cholly Edwards, 63, of Dallas Texas were uninjured, but another passenger, Jacqueline Edwards, 64, of Dallas Texas, was transported to Cooley Dickinson Hospital with minor injuries, where she was treated and released, the spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com