Windsor Man Dead After Bizarre Encounter with Massachusetts State Police

BOSTON — A man from Windsor died Wednesday night of an apparent heart attack after a strange encounter with Massachusetts State Police near a highway onramp in Boston. 

According to a release from the Suffolk County (MA) District Attorney's Office, the man, identified only as a 47-year-old resident of Windsor, CT, was found wandering near a highway ramp around Exit 19 on the Massachusetts Turnpike shortly before 10:15 p.m. A trooper, the release said, directed him off the ramp, and an additional trooper arrived to assist. 

The man "became aggressive and engaged the troopers in a physical altercation," according to the release, and he bit one trooper, removing "a large chunk of flesh from his arm." The release characterized the struggle as "violent." 

The troopers then sprayed the man with chemical spray to subdue him, and he went into cardiac arrest. The troopers performed CPR until Boston EMS arrived and took over, and the man was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

The troopers were also brought to the hospital for treatment of their injuries, which were not life-threatening. 

The Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit is investigating the altercation, and Massachusetts State Police are conducting an administrative review of the troopers' use of force.