DRACUT — Police Chief Peter Bartlett and Fire Chief Michael Cunha are pleased to report that the Dracut Police and Fire Departments hosted their annual Public Safety Night at Veteran’s Memorial Park on Thursday.

The Dracut Police and Fire Departments once again teamed up this year to offer community members an opportunity to check out police cruisers, fire trucks, DPW trucks and more, all while enjoying free hot dogs, burgers and ice cream.

Massachusetts State Police, the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), the Massachusetts State 911 Department, the Massachusetts National Guard, Pridestar Trinity EMS, and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office were among other agencies that provided officers and equipment during the event.

Children were able to ride on bouncy slides and spray a hose from a Dracut Fire engine, while police offered a scavenger hunt aimed at locating members of the department.

Residents and children also got an opportunity to dunk Chief Cunha and Chief Bartlett, and other Dracut officials, in a dunk tank to raise money for The Patch Project, which provides proceeds to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Dracut Best Buddies program.

Members of the NEMLEC K9 Unit provided a multifaceted K9 demonstration, providing residents with examples of everything from scent tracking to apprehensions.

Police estimate that over 1,500 people attended.

“Public Safety Night gives us an opportunity to show the community what we do, and an opportunity to create positive interactions and great memories with residents,” said Chief Bartlett. “I was thrilled to see great weather and great attendance this year.”

“We’re always excited when we get to share what we do for our community with our community,” said Chief Cunha. “Public Safety Night is a great opportunity for residents and business owners to get to know the first responders who are dedicated to protecting them, and for us to interact with the community that means so much to us.”

DRACUT — Police Chief Peter Bartlett and Fire Chief Michael Cunha report that the Dracut Police and Fire Departments responded Friday night to a crash on Tyngsborough Road that caused serious injury.

On Friday, June 27, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Dracut Police and Fire Departments were called to the area of 52 Tyngsborough Road for a report of a crash.

First responders arrived to discover that a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette had left the roadway and struck a guardrail, a parked vehicle and a home before coming to rest against the house.

The driver, a 56-year-old Dracut man, was initially unconscious inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by firefighters. Dracut firefighters and Pridestar Trinity EMS EMTs provided first aid at the scene before the driver was transported to Lowell General Hospital with serious injuries.

A building inspector subsequently inspected the home that was struck and determined it did not sustain serious structural damage. Residents were able to remain in their home.

The crash remains under investigation by the Dracut Police Department.

DRACUT — Police Chief Peter Bartlett reports that the Dracut Police Department responded early Friday morning to a shooting off Broadway Road.

On Friday, June 20, at approximately 4:30 a.m., the Dracut Police Department was called to the area of 101 Broadway Road for reports of gunshots and suspicious activity.

Officers investigating in the parking lot at 101 Broadway Road discovered evidence of gunfire, and a short time later located an individual with a gunshot wound at Lowell General Hospital/Main Campus. It appears that individual, a 16-year-old juvenile, was transported to the hospital by friends with what appears to be a non life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg.

It is not known at this time whether the individuals involved in the incident were known to each other.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Dracut Police detectives at 978-957-2123.

DRACUT — Police Chief Peter Bartlett and Fire Chief Michael Cunha report that the Dracut Police and Fire Departments responded Tuesday to a fatal crash involving a motor scooter. 

On Tuesday, June 17, at approximately 3:44 p.m., Dracut Police and Fire were called to the area of 189 Merrimack Ave. (Route 110) for a report of a crash involving a motor scooter.

First responders arrived to find a bystander already performing CPR on an  adult male operator. Members of the Dracut Fire Department and Pridestar Trinity EMS took over care. The adult male was then transported to Lowell General Hospital/Main Campus, where he was pronounced dead. 

A preliminary investigation determined that an individual identified as Michael Lacrosse, 43, of Lowell, was operating a motor scooter westbound on Route 110, when he crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with a vehicle driven by a 50-year-old Methuen woman. 

The Methuen woman remained at the scene and is cooperating with an ongoing investigation.

An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Dracut Police Department, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.