2 Charged In State Trooper's Death
Officer Hit On Interstate 95 In Mansfield

Two people were arrested and charged early Friday in connection with the death of a 28-year veteran Massachusetts state police trooper who was struck and killed overnight on Interstate 95 north.

State police authorities said Sgt. Douglas Weddleton, 52, of Brockton, was outside his cruiser on I-95 north near exit 6 in Mansfield working a construction detail when he was hit just before 1:30 a.m.

"This is a huge loss to our department ... his work in ballistics took him all across the state. He will be missed by so many," State Police Col. Marian J. McGovern.

McGovern said Weddleton, who was assigned to the Foxborough State Police barracks, was using his cruiser to block an off ramp from Interstate 95 to Interstate 495 north while construction work was being performed when an Acura sedan tried to get around his vehicle to enter the blocked off ramp.

Weddleton had stopped the Acura when a Ford-150 pickup truck hit the Acura from behind, causing the Acura to hit Weddleton and throw him across the highway, McGovern said.

"The impact of the crash pushed the Acura into Sgt. Weddleton and then across all three travel lanes, where it came to rest on the left side of the highway, causing Sgt. Weddleton to suffer serious injuries," said McGovern.

A colleague, Trooper Mike Peterson, witnessed the crash and ran to give CPR. Weddleton was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleborough but did not survive, troopers at the scene said.

The driver of the Acura, identified as Kenneth Weinand, 43, of Walpole, was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol.

The driver of the truck, identified as Anthony Perry, 45, of Hyde Park, was charged with negligent motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence and speeding, among other charges.

McGovern described Weddleton as a dedicated police officer who had spent many years the state police ballistics unit. She said he and his wife Judith have four sons ranging in age from 26 to 14.
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