Milford man arrested for nearly striking state trooper, crashing into cruiser before fleeing traffic stop

MILFORD — On Thursday, July 16, 2026, at approximately 8:03 a.m., the Milford Public Safety Communications Center was informed by the Northbridge Police Department that a Massachusetts State Police trooper had attempted to stop a 2026 gray Nissan Sentra in Northbridge when the driver allegedly put the vehicle in reverse, nearly struck the trooper, then collided with the trooper’s cruiser before fleeing the scene.

According to the Milford Police Department, initial attempts to locate the driver, identified as Joseph Prior, 29, of Milford, or the Nissan he was driving were unsuccessful. A warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest.

On Friday, July 17, 2026, at approximately 5:22 p.m., the Milford Public Safety Communications Center received information that Prior was in Milford and possibly heading to Parkhurst Street.

Officers responded to the area and located Prior walking on Parkhurst Street. When Prior saw the marked Milford police cruisers, he allegedly ran toward Hayward Street.

Additional officers arriving in the area intercepted Prior on Hayward Street and placed him under arrest, the Milford Police Department reported.

“The Massachusetts State Police showed great restraint in their initial motor vehicle stop interaction with Joseph Prior,” Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino said. “I commend them for their training and professionalism in trying to deescalate without using lethal force. This is indicative of time-tested police training and tactics. I’m also grateful for the coordinated efforts of the Milford Police Department Detective Bureau and Patrol Division to apprehend Joseph Prior without injury to the public or all those involved.”