Video: Mass. Trooper Seriously Injured in Hit-and-Run Urges Drivers to 'Move Over'

"I never imagined I'd be telling the story of how I almost lost my life simply because a driver didn't move over," says Massachusetts State Police Trooper Sean Clark in an agency video.

By Rick Sobey

Source Boston Herald

Sept. 2, 2025

3 min read

What to know

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Sean Clark, who was seriously injured in a June hit-and-run crash, is urging drivers to obey the state's Move Over Law.
Clark was struck by an allegedly drunken driver during a traffic stop in Chicopee, and the suspect was arrested and faces multiple charges.
State lawmakers are considering increased penalties to strengthen the Move Over Law.

In an agency video, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Sean Clark urged motorists to move over after he was seriously injured in June in a hit-and-run crash.

A trooper who was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash on the side of the Mass Pike is urging drivers to “move over” when they see flashing lights.

Mass State Police Trooper Sean Clark is sharing his story as he continues to recover from the June crash when he was struck by a driver who didn’t move over during a routine traffic stop.

Clark was conducting a traffic stop at around 2:20 a.m. when a 32-year-old woman allegedly struck him with her vehicle on the side of the Mass Pike westbound in Chicopee. She was allegedly driving drunk.

“Before June 10th, I never imagined I’d be telling the story of how I almost lost my life simply because a driver didn’t move over,” Clark said in a State Police video.

“In the hospital during those early, painful days of recovery, all I could think about was how close I came to never seeing my wife and children again,” the trooper said.

Clark was rushed with serious injuries to Baystate Medical Center. Less than a week later, he was released from the hospital and transferred to a rehab facility.

Naisha Rodriguez, 32, of Springfield, was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run crash.

She was arraigned and charged with operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury, misleading a police investigation, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing personal injury. Bail was set at $500,000.

The crash was “100% preventable,” the trooper stressed.

“The Move Over Law exists to protect troopers like me, and everyone out there working on our roads,” Clark said. “We’re out there doing our jobs, keeping you safe.

“But every uniform you pass out there belongs to someone with a family, with people waiting for them to come home,” he added. “So the next time you see flashing lights, move over. It’s not just the law. It’s a chance to save a life.”

Recently on Beacon Hill, there was a bill hearing to strengthen the Move Over Law — with the goal of increasing safety on the roads.

Under the current law, a driver violating the Move Over Law can face a $100 fine.

The proposed bill would establish a $250 fine for a first offense, a $500 fine for a second offense, and a $1,000 fine for a third or subsequent offense. Also, any violation that results in injury to another person could be punished by a fine of $2,500 or up to one year in jail.

State Police planned to increase enforcement of the Move Over Law during the holiday weekend.

“So, whether you see a State Trooper, Police Officer, Fire Truck, Ambulance, Work Crew, or Tow Truck with flashing lights, we ask you to do your part. Slow down and move over,” State Police posted. “Behind every set of flashing lights, there is a family waiting for that person’s safe return. Move Over. It’s the law and it could save a life.”

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