Montville — A town police officer's cruiser was involved in an accident on Route 32 on Wednesday afternoon that sent seven people to hospitals, including children and the officer involved.

According to an accident summary from state police at Troop E in Montville, shortly before 1 p.m., Katlyn Martinez, 33, of Waterford pulled her Jeep Grand Cherokee to the side of the road north of Fort Hill Drive because her car ran out of gas. Valerie Davis, 36, of Norwich parked her Buick Enclave just behind Martinez's car.

Davis and Martinez were attempting to put gas in the Jeep, when, police say, for an unknown reason, Officer Addison Saffioti, 34, who was driving north up the hill near Fort Hill Drive, hit the rear driver's side of Davis' Buick. That caused the Buick to strike Martinez's car and the two pedestrians.

The collision left Martinez with suspected serious injuries, according to the police. The other parties appeared to have suffered minor injuries. In the back seat of Martinez's car were 2-year-old Luchlann Martinez and 6-month-old Logan Martinez, both in car seats. In the back seat of Davis' car, 3-year-old Grace Davis was in a car seat but 9-year-old Owen Davis was not wearing a seat belt, according to the news release. 

A spokesperson for Backus Hospital said Katlyn Martinez was in good condition while Valerie Davis and the children were treated and released. A spokesperson for Lawrence + Memorial Hospital said Saffioti had gone to the emergency department and was discharged.

The incident resulted in the closure of Route 32 between Church Lane and Fort Hill Drive for nearly five hours.

The incident remains under investigation by Trooper Wengloski and anyone with information is asked to contact Troop E at (860) 848-6500.

Day Staff Writer Erica Moser contributed to this report.

j.vazquez@theday.com