Woman Faces OUI Charge After Striking Two Police Cruisers in Wilmington

Two Massachusetts State Police troopers were transported to an area hospital and a New Hampshire woman was arrested after she allegedly struck two police cruisers while driving under the influence of alcohol in Wilmington.

State Police announced on Monday morning that at about 2 a.m. a trooper was stopped on the median to assist a disabled motorist on I-93 North in Wilmington near Exit 41, north of Ballardvale Street. A second trooper was also on scene, according to police, parked behind the first cruiser.

That is when police said Kelsie Bettencourt, 21, of Pelham, N.H., crashed into the rear cruiser. The force of the crash pushed the vehicle into the second cruiser.

Police said both troopers suffered minor injuries and were transported to Lawrence General Hospital by Wilmington ambulance. Each was released from the hospital in the ensuing hours.

Following the incident, State Police arrested Bettencourt. She was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to change lanes for an emergency vehicle, marked lanes violation, possession of Class E narcotics, and possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.

State Police did not release the names of the troopers involved in the incident. Bettencourt was scheduled to be arraigned on Monday in Woburn District Court.

(Patch File Photo)