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A Bristol County Sheriff’s Office Deputy escaped major injury early Thursday morning after the van she was in during a construction detail on Route 24 North was struck by an operator who was charged with OUI by State Police.
Deputy Patricia Allen, a Dartmouth resident, was sitting in a BCSO van with the emergency lights on at the beginning of a work zone in the left lane near Exit 13a around 3:10 a.m., behind a crew of workers picking up cones and signs. Deputy Allen’s van was struck by a 2007 Jeep Compass driven by Maria Nunes-Saveiga, 29, of Brockton, who was charged with OUI Liquor and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle by State Police. She was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Taunton.
“Deputy Allen felt very fortunate that she got to go home to her four children. Others in her situation recently weren’t as lucky,” said Jonathan Darling, spokesperson for the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office. “We’re urging everyone, especially with a holiday weekend upon us, to drive safely, slow down and to use a designated driver.”
After Deputy Allen’s vehicle was struck, she got out of the vehicle to check on the occupants of the Jeep Compass. She stayed with them until EMS and State Police arrived on the scene.
Deputy Allen was not seriously injured in the crash, but as of Friday morning was still being medically evaluated.
