Wrong-way driver dead, State Police trooper seriously injured in Route 1 crash

“He will be remembered as a hero,” Noble said.

He said Trainor was preparing to travel home from his shift around 2 a.m. when a 911 caller reported a wrong-way driver heading southbound in the northbound lane on Rt. 1 in Lynnfield.

“The vehicle, a Jeep, collided with Trooper Trainor’s cruiser head on,” Noble said. “In the blink of an eye, those reckless actions stole Kevin” from his family and coworkers.

“We know that there are difficult days that lie ahead,” Noble said. “Kevin epitomized what it means to be a public servant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

His words were echoed by Governor Maura Healey, a former state attorney general.

“We lost a hero today,” Healey said, offering condolences to his loved ones and colleagues. “He was doing heroic work in the early hours this morning when this terrible tragedy befell us.”

Brian Williams, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts, the union for troopers, also lauded Trainor during the briefing.

Williams said Trainor was “commuting home when he selflessly responded to a call involving a wrong-way operator, putting himself in harm’s way” to protect the public.

“His actions reflect the very essence of service and dedication to the communities we serve,” Williams said. “Trooper Trainor is a hero. He served with courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to” his colleagues and the public.

Williams said Trainor’s death is a stark “reminder of the risks our members face each and every day.”

The trooper was among several officers responding to 911 calls from drivers who saw a gray Jeep heading south in the northbound lanes around 2 a.m., according to police and Broadcastify recordings.

A trooper also spotted the vehicle, according to dispatch recordings.

“I have a wrong-way traveling south on north Route 1 by the Lynnfield tunnel heading towards Saugus,” he told dispatchers. “Grey Jeep. Massachusetts plates.”

About 17 seconds later, he reported seeing the two vehicles collide.

“Code 16,” he said, using State Police code for a motor vehicle crash. “Head-on. Start EMS. Two tows.”

The driver, whose name and age were not immediately available, died at the scene, State Police said.

Troopers struggled to extricate their colleague from the tangled wreckage, reporting at one point that he was trapped inside.

“Can you tell EMS to step it up and send fire? The door’s jammed and we can’t get the trooper out of the cruiser,” one said, according to the recordings.

State Police were going to have the injured trooper flown to a Boston hospital but after learning it would take a half hour for it to arrive, they brought him to Massachusetts General Hospital by ambulance.

Trainor, who was operating a black SUV, was later pronounced dead, State Police said.

“With the most profound sadness and deepest condolences to his family, classmates, and loved ones, the Massachusetts State Police can confirm that the Trooper struck in this morning’s wrong-way crash has succumbed to his injuries,” State Police said in a statement at 9:15 a.m.

In a statement before the briefing, Healey said she was “heartbroken” by the trooper’s death and offered her support to his family.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Trooper’s family, loved ones, and with fellow members of the State Police during this incredibly difficult time,” she said.

“The trooper was responding to reports of a wrong-way driver and put himself in harm’s way to protect others. This act of service and courage is what our State Police are called to do every day. They show up ready to face danger so the rest of us can be safe. Today, Massachusetts is mourning one of those heroes,” she said.

Troopers and Boston police are gathering near Massachusetts General Hospital to escort the trooper’s body to the state Medical Examiner’s office on Albany Street, where an autopsy will be performed.

“His actions saved lives today,” Trainor said. “That is his legacy that he will be forever remembered by.”

A number of municipal police forces around the state also posted messages of condolence on social media, including the Lynn Police Department.

“Our entire community is grieving following the tragic, line of duty death of a Massachusetts State Trooper who was struck and killed while responding to a wrong way driver on Route 1 in Lynnfield during the early morning hours,” said Lynn police via X.

The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, the BPD’s largest union, said via X: “Our hearts are heavy once again. @MassStatePolice Trooper was killed in the line of duty early this morning in a car crash while trying to intercept a wrong-way driver on Rte. 1 in Lynnfield. Our thoughts and prayers are with all impacted by this tragic accident. @MSPTroopers“

This is developing story and will be updated. Travis Andersen of the Globe Staff contributed to this report.

John R. Ellement can be reached at john.ellement@globe.com. Follow him @JREbosglobe.