State Police Trooper Matthew Sheeran is badly injured, but very lucky to be alive today after an early morning accident authorities say was caused by an off-duty Philadelphia police officer, who may have been driving under the influence. Though police are talking details of the accident, no one is saying anything about the circumstances surrounding it.
The accident happened near 3:30 a.m. Saturday along I-95 at Girard Avenue. A state police cruiser was struck from behind and forced into the car in front, pinning Trooper Sheeran in between.
According to police, Sheeran and his partner Trooper Michael Sadowski had stopped to investigate an abandoned car blocking the right lane. As a tow truck tried to remove it, they remained to secure the scene, setting out flares and keeping their lights flashing.
Despite all that warning, police say, a car driven by 23-year-old off-duty Philadelphia officer Matthew Sharkey , with 4 other passengers inside, crashed into the cruiser.
The force of the impact sent the troopers' car into the abandoned car, while Sheeran stood between them. The tow truck driver, underneath the abandoned car at the time, crawled out despite his own injuries to help free him.
The tow driver, both troopers, and all 5 inside Sharkey's car were taken to Hahnemann Hospital for treatment.
All but Sheeran, who remains in stable condition, were released.
Sharkey meanwhile, was in police custody this morning under suspicion of driving under the influence, but released pending the results of a chemical test. Charges are pending.
As mentioned, police are saying very little about all of this right now, but they are asking for your help. State Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the early morning accident to call them at 215-560-6200.
