GILL — The town is in the process of replacing the total loss of a police cruiser involved in an accident Sunday, March 10 during a morning snowstorm.

Gill Police Chief Christopher Redmond said the cruiser is secured in the station and the process of going through insurance and appraising the vehicle so it can be replaced is in the works. He told the Gill Selectboard he would know more by the end of the week.

A newly equipped cruiser with markings and equipment would cost around $48,000 to $50,000 according to Redmond.

Redmond also reported the on-duty Gill police officer involved in a two-car accident, Officer Alex Wiltz, 30, returned to work the following day after being transported to the hospital from the scene.

Selectboard member Randy Crochier said he watched video footage of the accident. “I feel like the officer did a good job,” Crochier said.”I saw the video. I appreciate what he tried to do to avoid it.”

Redmond said it was still a substantial collision even though the officer wasn’t badly injured.

According to police, officer Wiltz diverted into his own breakdown lane when an oncoming vehicle crossed over the center line into his lane. He was able to slow down to less than half of the posted speed limit before the other car slid into him.

“He was able to get his speed down to, I think it was about 24 miles an hour, before the impact, but I don’t know the speed of the car coming from the other direction,” Redmond said. “It was enough to set off the airbag, dislodge his body camera from the mount and rip his shirt and pants.”

Massachusetts State Police troopers from the Shelburne Falls barracks investigated the accident and the operator was cited for speed greater than reasonable and proper for conditions during the snowstorm, according to Redmond.

Raquel Hernandez, 31, of Adams, was behind the wheel of an eastbound Kia Sorento with four passengers when she crossed the center line and collided with the 2013 Ford Explorer police cruiser driven by Wiltz at approximately 10 a.m. Wiltz called in the accident.

Redmond said injuries were reported, and three ambulances responded. Injured parties, including Wiltz, were taken to Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield.

Erving, Montague and Gill police responded, along with mutual aid from the Turners Falls Fire Department, AMR ambulance, Northfield EMS and Gill Fire-Rescue.

Both vehicles were towed and Route 2 was closed a short time, Redmond said. Alternating traffic lanes were used until the road opened up again.

“It’s a common area for accidents,” Redmond said. “There have been two … fatal accidents there in recent years. It’s a bad corner there and it was definitely slippery out when I was going there.”