Charges filed in crash that injured cop

North Stonington man cited for striking parked police cruiser; sergeant remains in R.I. Hospital

Stonington — Police have charged a 52-year-old North Stonington man in connection with an incident Monday in which they say he drove his car into a cruiser on Route 184, injuring veteran Sgt. Mario Ritacco.

David L. MacCracken, of 4 Starlight Lane, was issued a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, passing in a no-passing zone and failure to drive right. He was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court on March 1.

“As we gather further information additional charges could be possible from Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime,” Deputy Chief Todd Olson said Wednesday.

The State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad and Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad has assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Records show that Groton Town police charged MacCracken with driving under the influence of alcohol of drugs in July of 2022. That case and its disposition is not listed on the state Judicial Department online data base.

According to a police report, police received a 911 call at 11:09 a.m., reporting an erratic driver operating a red convertible Toyota Solara with a black top that had run a red light and crossed the median into the opposite lane while heading east on Route 184.

Three minutes later, a second 911

Police said their investigation found David L. MacCracken had been speeding and passing other drivers in a no-passing zone and had gone through red traffic light on Route 184 just before the accident.

call came in reporting that a car had struck a police officer.

Police said their investigation found MacCracken had been speeding and passing other drivers in a no-passing zone and had gone through red traffic light on Route 184 just before the accident, which occurred just east of Taugwonk Road near the North Stonington town line.

Olson said earlier this week that Ritacco, 50, was accompanying a Frontier Communications crew that was working along the road, and his marked police cruiser with lights

flashing was facing west in the eastbound lane as he directed traffic through area. Olson said that as the car approached from the east, it was apparent to Ritacco that the car was not going to stop. That’s when Ritacco went behind the car to avoid being struck. The car then hit the cruiser head on, and the cruiser struck Ritacco.

Ritacco, who has earned many commendations and awards during his 21 years an an officer here, suffered serious injuries and was flown by Life Star helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital. MacCracken was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Olson said Wednesday that Ritacco is still being treated for his injuries at Rhode Island Hospital, but is in good spirits and recovering.

Any witnesses to the collision or the moments prior to are asked to contact Detective Justin Clachrie of the Eastern District Major Crime Squad at justin.clachrie@ct.gov or Detective Ryan Hackett of the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad at ryan. hackett@ct.gov.