Veteran Mass. state trooper on construction detail struck, killed by suspected drunken driver

Mass. state trooper killed by passing vehicle

MANSFIELD, Mass. — The commander of the Massachusetts State Police says a veteran trooper working an overnight construction detail was struck and killed by a suspected drunken driver.

Superintendent Marian McGovern says Sgt. Doug Weddleton had pulled over a car on Interstate 95 north in Mansfield after the vehicle tried to enter a closed ramp at about 1:30 a.m. Friday. Weddleton was out of his cruiser when a second vehicle struck him.

The 52-year-old Weddleton was a state trooper for 28 years. He leaves behind a wife and four sons.

The driver of the first vehicle, 43-year-old Kenneth Weiand of Walpole, faces drunken driving charges. The driver of the second vehicle, 45-year-old Anthony Perry of Boston, is charged with motor vehicle homicide, drunken driving and speeding.