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Norton woman shot in hunting accident sues state trooper, land owner

BOSTON (AP) - State environmental police are seeking criminal charges against a state trooper who was hunting on New Year's Eve when he accidentally shot his neighbor walking her dog.

Authorities say they filed a complaint against Trooper John Bergeron last week on one count of careless or negligent use of a weapon causing injury or death.

Meanwhile, the woman who was shot, 66-year-old Cheryl Blair of Norton, has sued Bergeron and the owner of wooded property where the incident occurred seeking damages and compensation for medical bills.

Blair spent two months in the hospital and required multiple surgeries.

Police have said that the off-duty Bergeron mistook Blair's dog for a deer and shot Blair once in the leg.

Bergeron denies negligence and has previously expressed remorse for the shooting.