01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, July 15, 2004

SEEKONK -- A state trooper who rode a motorcycle in yesterday's funeral procession for a Marine killed in Iraq was taken to Rhode Island Hospital after the motorcycle and a Taunton fire truck collided.

Trooper Edward J. Lavoie, atop the motorcycle, was dragged about 20 feet. He suffered a broken right leg -- for which he may require surgery today -- along with cuts, and a possible broken collar bone, according to the state police. Lavoie remained at the hospital last night.

"He's very fortunate that he doesn't have life-threatening injuries," said state police Sgt. Joseph Mitchell.

The accident happened on Route 114A as the procession was making its way from a service at West Congregational Church, in Taunton, to the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery in Exeter, according to the state police.

The fire truck received a call, and was trying to turn left into a parking lot to head back to Taunton, Mitchell said. When the fire truck tried to turn, however, Lavoie was moving forward on the left side of the motorcycle to block off the next intersection so that the procession for Lance Cpl. John J. Van Gyzen IV, of Dighton, could continue. The bike slammed into the front of the truck.

State police said no one was deemed at fault and it is not a situation in which charges would be filed.

-- Michael P. McKinney