By Mark LaFlamme,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – A police officer hurt in an early morning crash on Ash Street was recovering at home Friday night, and two women injured in the two-car wreck remained hospitalized.

Police said Officer Eric Syphers suffered cuts to his head and a fractured wrist when his cruiser was struck by another car at about 1:15 a.m.

In the other car, a Volkswagen Jetta, 21-year-old Kassie Soucy and 22-year-old Jessama Bourgoin, suffered multiple injuries.

Police said Soucy was driving the Jetta when it crashed into Syphers’ cruiser at the intersection. The women, both from Lewiston, were being treated at Central Maine Medical Center where they were listed in stable condition Friday night, a hospital spokesman said.

“Obviously, we’re very concerned about them. We wish the best in their recovery,” said Lewiston police Deputy Chief Michael Bussiere. “Officer Syphers is doing OK. He’s at home, and his dog is with him.”

The police dog, a German shepherd named Bill, was in the back seat of the cruiser when it crashed.

Meanwhile, a Lewiston man credited with rushing to Syphers’ aid in the moments after the crash said he was still shaken Friday night.

“We heard the crash and we ran over there to help,” said 42-year-old Brian Nuzzo. “My buddies were trying to get at him through the driver’s side door, but they couldn’t get in because of the snowbank. I went to the passenger’s side and smashed the window out.”

Nuzzo said he was able to reach inside and open the cruiser door. He then crawled into the crushed cruiser to reach Syphers.

Nuzzo said he remembered a police officer holding him still after he was involved in a crash in September. Because of that, Nuzzo said, he knew what to do for Syphers in his mangled cruiser.

“When I got to him, he wasn’t doing anything. He was just lying there,” Nuzzo said. “I got my hands on his neck and just held him still, to keep him from moving.”

Other police officers were on their way to a bar fight at the Oasis on Lisbon Street when they heard about the crash. At the time, several of the officers were at a scene at LaFayette Park where a gunshot had been fired. Others were headed to the fight at the Oasis where officers were calling for backup.

At the same time in Auburn, all available police officers in that city were involved in a standoff of their own on Hampshire Street. No officers from that department were available to help. Lewiston police called for backup from Sabattus and Maine State Police. Security officers from Bates College also showed up to help at the crash scene.

Bussiere, the deputy chief, said the three incidents in Lewiston were handled smoothly because officers from the night shift had stayed on duty to help the officers from the next shift.

“It was fortunate that we had the extra manpower,” he said.

Maine State Police were assisting with the crash investigation on Friday. Witnesses reported that Soucy drove her car across Ash Street from Bartlett in front of Syphers’ cruiser as he was driving down Ash Street, with lights and sirens, on his way to the fight at the Oasis. Police said blood-alcohol tests were administered to those involved in the collision.

“There are indications that alcohol may be involved,” Bussiere said. “That part of it remains under investigation.”

Nuzzo, who aided Syphers in the seconds after the crash, said he was glad to help out. He felt indebted to the Lewiston police, since his own life was saved after his own crash in September.

“I was upset. I mean, I was crying. I just thought: I hope he’s all right,'” Nuzzo said. “Later, the other officers were shaking my hand and saying thanks. I was glad I was able to help.”