FITCHBURG – A Trooper from the Massachusetts State Police was conducting a traffic stop on Summer St. in Fitchburg late in the night on Monday, May 11, when a driver rear-ended his cruiser.
The Trooper was not inside the vehicle at the time of the collision. He was not injured.
The driver of the vehicle that struck the cruiser, Craig Jatrinski, a 48-year- old man from Fitchburg, was also not injured.
When other troopers responded to the scene, officers notices that Jatrinski was slurring his speech. At least one officer detected the smell of alcohol as well.
Jatrinski was administered a field sobriety test and portable breathalyzer test. He was arrested as a result.
Jatrinksi had three prior OUI offenses that resulted in either convictions or continuances without findings, warranting his being charged in the current incident with Operating Under the Influence of Liquor-4th Offense. Troopers also determined that his driver’s license was currently suspended as a result of one of the prior OUI charges.
Jatrinski faces charges of Operating Under the Influence While Suspended for OUI, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Driving an Unregistered Motor Vehicle; and Failure to Move Over for an Emergency Vehicle.
