The 2007 accident which claimed the life of Robin Young, 42, of Danville, NH when he was struck by a flying car, was a result of speeding, news reports said.
According to three witnesses who testified in Haverhill District Court yesterday, the driver, Marie Pigaga, 50, of Plaistow, was going at high speed when her black 2000 Mercedes-Benz went over a short brick retaining wall at a gas station and struck Young.
An expert from the state police accident reconstruction team calculated that Pigaga's car was going 49 mph when it hit the pedestrian.
Young was severely injured and died a few hours later at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Pigaga is being tried on a charge of motor vehicle homicide. This would be the third time she as appeared before a Massachusetts court. Her previous two misdemeanor charges ended in mistrials in April, 2009, and February, 2010.
Showing posts with label Speeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Speeding. Show all posts
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Holyoke Man Involved in Turnpike Rollover Crash Released on Bail
A 30-year-old driver who was facing several charges in a September 17 rollover crash on Massachusetts Turnpike in Palmer, in which an infant was seriously injured, was released on $500 bail on Monday. He was ordered not to drive.
Juan C. Rodriguez, of Holyoke, Mass. pleaded not guily to charges of negligent driving, driving without a license, speeding, driving with a small child not in a car seat and allowing two other children to ride without seatbelts.
According to the police, Rodriguez was driving a 1996 Chevy Blazer SUV on Massachusetts Turnpike west the morning of Sept 17, when he lost control over the vehicle in the left lane, went across the right lane and landed on its roof up against the right guardrail.
Accoridng to police reports, a preliminary investigation indicated Rodriguez was driving at about 85 mph.
A 7-month old infant, Eric Colon of Holyoke, was seriously injured in the crash. The little boy went out the vehicle’s window. He was treated at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where he was listed in a serious condition on Monday.
Eric's mother, Jenelian LaBoy, was also thrown from the SUV, in which the little boy's father, Miguel Angel Colon, and two other small boys were also present.
Rodriguez and the five passengers were all taken to Baystate Medical Center for treatment, MassLive reported.
Juan C. Rodriguez, of Holyoke, Mass. pleaded not guily to charges of negligent driving, driving without a license, speeding, driving with a small child not in a car seat and allowing two other children to ride without seatbelts.
According to the police, Rodriguez was driving a 1996 Chevy Blazer SUV on Massachusetts Turnpike west the morning of Sept 17, when he lost control over the vehicle in the left lane, went across the right lane and landed on its roof up against the right guardrail.
Accoridng to police reports, a preliminary investigation indicated Rodriguez was driving at about 85 mph.
A 7-month old infant, Eric Colon of Holyoke, was seriously injured in the crash. The little boy went out the vehicle’s window. He was treated at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where he was listed in a serious condition on Monday.
Eric's mother, Jenelian LaBoy, was also thrown from the SUV, in which the little boy's father, Miguel Angel Colon, and two other small boys were also present.
Rodriguez and the five passengers were all taken to Baystate Medical Center for treatment, MassLive reported.
MBTA Worker Saves Man from Burning Car
Earlier this week an MBTA Green line worker pulled an injured man out of the back seath of a burning car in Arlington, MA.
According to firefighters, he probably saved the man's life when he freed him from the burning taxi cab, the Boston Herald news article said.
About 7 am on Monday, John Bailey, 63, of Medford, who has worked for MBTA for 36 years, was on his way to work when he saw a taxi cab jump over an embankment and crash into a tree along the Mystic Valley Parkway near the Medford line in Arlington, the Boston Globe reported.
Bailey said he stopped his car when he saw that the taxi's engine caught on fire.
He immediately ran down to the burning car to help. He opened the back passenger door and found a passenger whose face was covered in blood. There was no driver in the car.
Bailey began to pull the passenger out of the car and called for help since he had difficulty getting him all the way out of the vehicle.
Another man arrived and helped Bailey pull the injured man out of the taxi, which was soon fully engulfed in flames. By then firefighters arrived at the scene.
The injured passenger was later identified as George Kane, 42, of Lexington.
The taxi cab driver, Jean M. Franck, 47, of Medford, was discovered on the embankment suffering from a broken leg and head contusions.
Both Franck and Kane were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where they were reported to be in fair condition.
State Police think the accident happened due to excessive speed. The taxi cab, a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria owned by Arlex Taxi Company in Medford, was speeding when Franck lost control, went off the road and traveled along the Mystic River for a short distance. He then re-entered the roadway and rear-ended a Toyota Camry. The crash sent the taxi into a tree and Franck was thrown from the car, which burst into flames, police said.
The other driver, Alain Velis, 41, of Medford, was not injured.
Franck is facing the possiblity of three charges including reckless operation of a vehicle, operating with a suspended license and a marked lane violation.
Arlington Fire Chief Robert Jefferson said he will be writing a letter of commendation for Bailey for his bravery and quick response.
“We couldn’t be more proud of him. He represents the best of MBTA employees,” said MBTA General Manager Richard Davey.
According to firefighters, he probably saved the man's life when he freed him from the burning taxi cab, the Boston Herald news article said.
About 7 am on Monday, John Bailey, 63, of Medford, who has worked for MBTA for 36 years, was on his way to work when he saw a taxi cab jump over an embankment and crash into a tree along the Mystic Valley Parkway near the Medford line in Arlington, the Boston Globe reported.
Bailey said he stopped his car when he saw that the taxi's engine caught on fire.
He immediately ran down to the burning car to help. He opened the back passenger door and found a passenger whose face was covered in blood. There was no driver in the car.
Bailey began to pull the passenger out of the car and called for help since he had difficulty getting him all the way out of the vehicle.
Another man arrived and helped Bailey pull the injured man out of the taxi, which was soon fully engulfed in flames. By then firefighters arrived at the scene.
The injured passenger was later identified as George Kane, 42, of Lexington.
The taxi cab driver, Jean M. Franck, 47, of Medford, was discovered on the embankment suffering from a broken leg and head contusions.
Both Franck and Kane were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where they were reported to be in fair condition.
State Police think the accident happened due to excessive speed. The taxi cab, a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria owned by Arlex Taxi Company in Medford, was speeding when Franck lost control, went off the road and traveled along the Mystic River for a short distance. He then re-entered the roadway and rear-ended a Toyota Camry. The crash sent the taxi into a tree and Franck was thrown from the car, which burst into flames, police said.
The other driver, Alain Velis, 41, of Medford, was not injured.
Franck is facing the possiblity of three charges including reckless operation of a vehicle, operating with a suspended license and a marked lane violation.
Arlington Fire Chief Robert Jefferson said he will be writing a letter of commendation for Bailey for his bravery and quick response.
“We couldn’t be more proud of him. He represents the best of MBTA employees,” said MBTA General Manager Richard Davey.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Seatbelt Saves Life in Grafton Rollover Crash
Seatbelts save lives.
A perfect example for this fact is the Massachusetts Turnpike rollover accident which occurred yesterdat morning. A Sturbridge man who wisely buckled his seatbelt before going on the road was lucky to get out of a wreck alive after his car rolled over on the road.
Mark Pover, 45, was going east in his Dodge Caliber about 7 am when solar glare prompted him to change from the middle lane to the left lane, Telegram reported.
Another man, Sean Crutchley, 30, of Worcester driving a Dodge Magnum struck Pover’s vehicle from behind, causing the Dodge Caliber to roll over three times before landing on its roof.
Rescue workers found Pover still in his car. He was not ejected from his seat as he undoubtedly would have had he not remembered to buckle up. Pover also escaped serious injury, despite the severity of the crash.
State police said Pover's vehicle was not struck as a result of the lane change.
Crutchley, whose car also clipped the rear end of a third vehicle, a 2005 Ford Taurus driven by Martin Dragon Jr., 68, of Sturbridge, was cited for speeding and failing to use care in stopping.
Pover was treated for minor injuries at UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester.
We applaud his common sense to put on a seatbelt, and hope he will have a speedy recovery.
A perfect example for this fact is the Massachusetts Turnpike rollover accident which occurred yesterdat morning. A Sturbridge man who wisely buckled his seatbelt before going on the road was lucky to get out of a wreck alive after his car rolled over on the road.
Mark Pover, 45, was going east in his Dodge Caliber about 7 am when solar glare prompted him to change from the middle lane to the left lane, Telegram reported.
Another man, Sean Crutchley, 30, of Worcester driving a Dodge Magnum struck Pover’s vehicle from behind, causing the Dodge Caliber to roll over three times before landing on its roof.
Rescue workers found Pover still in his car. He was not ejected from his seat as he undoubtedly would have had he not remembered to buckle up. Pover also escaped serious injury, despite the severity of the crash.
State police said Pover's vehicle was not struck as a result of the lane change.
Crutchley, whose car also clipped the rear end of a third vehicle, a 2005 Ford Taurus driven by Martin Dragon Jr., 68, of Sturbridge, was cited for speeding and failing to use care in stopping.
Pover was treated for minor injuries at UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester.
We applaud his common sense to put on a seatbelt, and hope he will have a speedy recovery.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Alcohol and Speed Caused Westborough Teen Crashes
Two separate crashes in one week involving teenage Westborough drivers were a result of alcohol, speed and inexperience, police said. A total of six teens were injured in the crashes.
The first crash, which happened on Sunday morning at 4 am, involved an intoxicated driver crashing his car into a tree on Ruggles Street. Police said there were four Westborough High students in the car driven by Vaughn Sewell, 18, who was drunk and speeding.
Sewell did not have a driver's license, only a learner's permit.
According to Massachusetts law, drivers with a learning permit are required to have an adult over 21 with a valid license and at least one year of driving experience in the front passenger's seat. Learning permit drivers are also restricted from driving between the hours of midnight and 5 am unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, which Sewell was not.
All four teens suffered injuries in the crash.
Sewell, his front-seat 16-year-old passenger, and two girls in the back seat (Alina Bayborodin, 17, and another 15-year-old girl who sustained minor injuries) were taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
The second crash happened on Wednesday in which Andrey L. Golenko, 19, crashed his car on Flanders Road. His passenger, Ilya Bely, 18, was seriously injured. Golenko suffered minor injuries.
Golenko also didn't have a license.
Police said this accident was also caused due to excessive speed, alcohol and inexperience.
These two crashes are a sober reminder to teens to take driving more serously. Parents are advised to educate their teens to become responsible drivers since more than one life can be ruined in an auto accident.
We offer our free Safe Driving Contract between Parents and Teenagers to further throw light on this issue.
You can download the contract by visiting Boston car accident attorney Thomas M. Kiley's website.
The first crash, which happened on Sunday morning at 4 am, involved an intoxicated driver crashing his car into a tree on Ruggles Street. Police said there were four Westborough High students in the car driven by Vaughn Sewell, 18, who was drunk and speeding.
Sewell did not have a driver's license, only a learner's permit.
According to Massachusetts law, drivers with a learning permit are required to have an adult over 21 with a valid license and at least one year of driving experience in the front passenger's seat. Learning permit drivers are also restricted from driving between the hours of midnight and 5 am unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, which Sewell was not.
All four teens suffered injuries in the crash.
Sewell, his front-seat 16-year-old passenger, and two girls in the back seat (Alina Bayborodin, 17, and another 15-year-old girl who sustained minor injuries) were taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
The second crash happened on Wednesday in which Andrey L. Golenko, 19, crashed his car on Flanders Road. His passenger, Ilya Bely, 18, was seriously injured. Golenko suffered minor injuries.
Golenko also didn't have a license.
Police said this accident was also caused due to excessive speed, alcohol and inexperience.
These two crashes are a sober reminder to teens to take driving more serously. Parents are advised to educate their teens to become responsible drivers since more than one life can be ruined in an auto accident.
We offer our free Safe Driving Contract between Parents and Teenagers to further throw light on this issue.
You can download the contract by visiting Boston car accident attorney Thomas M. Kiley's website.
Mass Highway Worker Killed by Alleged DUI Driver
A Massachusetts Highway worker was hit Tuesday night by an alleged drunken truck driver on Route 9 in Framingham, suffering a fatal head wound, the Boston Herald reported.
To make matters worse, he fell unnoticed bleeding from his wound, police said. The 57-year-old victim was later discovered unconscious in the breakdown lane by a fellow worker. By then it was too late to save his life.
Police could not say how long the man, Gregory Vilidnitsky, of Natick, lay unconscious on the road, while other construction workers were detaining the driver and his passenger, and talking to the police.
The accident happened when a pickup truck driven by an allegedly drunk driver, Jeremy Gardner, 29, of Maine, struck Vilidnitsky along a section of Route 9 that was being repaved around 11:30 pm.
According to prosecutors in the case, Gardner and his passenger Walter Smith, 50, of Vermont are transient construction workers who were working in Wayland and staying at a hotel in Framingham. The two allegedly went out for drinks at a Framingham bar, where Gardner said they each had a “couple pops.”
The two men were returning to their hotel when they hit Vilidnitsky, then plowed into a road work vehicle.
Prosecutors said Gardner ran from the car while Smith tried to drive away the truck which was heavily damaged in the crash.
Construction workers and Middlesex County sheriffs detained the two men in the truck who were later arrested. Police are investigating the cause of the accident, as well as the amount of time that lapsed before discovering Vilidnitsky.
Police said when they found Vilidnitsky unconscious in the breakdown lane he was bleeding heavily from a wound to the back of his head and not breething. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardner was held on $100,000 bail, while Smith was held on $50,000 bail.
Gardner's charges include operating under the influence, motor vehicle homicide, operating to endanger, speeding, and leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury.
Smith was charged with operating under the influence 3rd offense and leaving the scene of an accident.
Both men pleaded not guilty.
News Sources: Boston Herald, Press Herald, Boston Globe, WHDH, NECN.
To make matters worse, he fell unnoticed bleeding from his wound, police said. The 57-year-old victim was later discovered unconscious in the breakdown lane by a fellow worker. By then it was too late to save his life.
Police could not say how long the man, Gregory Vilidnitsky, of Natick, lay unconscious on the road, while other construction workers were detaining the driver and his passenger, and talking to the police.
According to prosecutors in the case, Gardner and his passenger Walter Smith, 50, of Vermont are transient construction workers who were working in Wayland and staying at a hotel in Framingham. The two allegedly went out for drinks at a Framingham bar, where Gardner said they each had a “couple pops.”
The two men were returning to their hotel when they hit Vilidnitsky, then plowed into a road work vehicle.
Prosecutors said Gardner ran from the car while Smith tried to drive away the truck which was heavily damaged in the crash.
Construction workers and Middlesex County sheriffs detained the two men in the truck who were later arrested. Police are investigating the cause of the accident, as well as the amount of time that lapsed before discovering Vilidnitsky.
Police said when they found Vilidnitsky unconscious in the breakdown lane he was bleeding heavily from a wound to the back of his head and not breething. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardner was held on $100,000 bail, while Smith was held on $50,000 bail.
Gardner's charges include operating under the influence, motor vehicle homicide, operating to endanger, speeding, and leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury.
Smith was charged with operating under the influence 3rd offense and leaving the scene of an accident.
Both men pleaded not guilty.
News Sources: Boston Herald, Press Herald, Boston Globe, WHDH, NECN.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Speed Caused Fatal I-293 Crash
Officials say speed was a contributing factor in the I-293 Manchester, NH crash that killed four men over the weekend.
According to state police, the driver of the 2006 Toyota Scion involved in the crash, Jeffrey Levesque, 24, of Londonderry, NH, was speeding when he left the interstate near the merger with I-93 south and crashed the vehicle in the wooded median.
Jesse Pena, 25, of Lowell, MA, was sitting in the front passenger seat, while Chase Abreu, 25, of Pelham and Alex DeFreitas, 24, of Londonderry were sitting in the back seat. Only Levesque was wearing a seat belt, police said.
Autopsy reports released yesterday showed that all four men were killed instantly.
The four men who had known each other since middle school were reported missing on Saturday. Their car was found by a friend on Sunday.
They were last seen at the Black Brimmer American Bar and Grill in Manchester.
According to state police, the driver of the 2006 Toyota Scion involved in the crash, Jeffrey Levesque, 24, of Londonderry, NH, was speeding when he left the interstate near the merger with I-93 south and crashed the vehicle in the wooded median.
Jesse Pena, 25, of Lowell, MA, was sitting in the front passenger seat, while Chase Abreu, 25, of Pelham and Alex DeFreitas, 24, of Londonderry were sitting in the back seat. Only Levesque was wearing a seat belt, police said.
Autopsy reports released yesterday showed that all four men were killed instantly.
The four men who had known each other since middle school were reported missing on Saturday. Their car was found by a friend on Sunday.
They were last seen at the Black Brimmer American Bar and Grill in Manchester.
Friday, September 3, 2010
2 Teenagers Held for Car Chase, Crash in Methuen
A high-speed car chase ended in a crash in Methuen last Saturday for two Lawrence teenagers.
18-year-olds Pedro Nieves and Elvin Lantigua have entered innocent pleas in Lawrence District Court in answer to multiple charges stemming from last weekend’s chase and eventual crash. They are both being held on case bail.
Nieves and Lantigua traveled at speeds close to 100mph on Interstate 93, trying to out-race police.
They were chased by police through parts of southern New Hampshire until they crashed their car in Methuen.
Nieves had more charges brought against him, such as felony reckless conduct and driving without a license, among others.
18-year-olds Pedro Nieves and Elvin Lantigua have entered innocent pleas in Lawrence District Court in answer to multiple charges stemming from last weekend’s chase and eventual crash. They are both being held on case bail.
Nieves and Lantigua traveled at speeds close to 100mph on Interstate 93, trying to out-race police.
They were chased by police through parts of southern New Hampshire until they crashed their car in Methuen.
Nieves had more charges brought against him, such as felony reckless conduct and driving without a license, among others.
Monday, August 16, 2010
3 People Injured in Leominster Crash
Another Friday afternoon accident, this time on Union Street in Leominster, sent 3 people to the hospital, two with life-threatening injuries.
According to police, the 2-car accident occurred when Norman Henry of Leominster, driving a blue sedan, rear-ended a couple driving a red Toyota as they attempted to take a left turn onto Tisdale Street.
The male driver in the red Toyota was thrown into the back seat in the crash.
Both people in the Toyotoa, Michael Tantillo of Leominster and Elizabeth McCann of Bolton, were trapped in, so Fire Department rescue workers had to use the Jaws of Life to save them from the vehicle.
Deputy Fire Chief Scott Cordio said, "We tried to have them LifeFlighted, but helicopters in Worcester and Boston were tied up."
Tantillo and McCann were rushed to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, while the Henry was taken to HealthAlliance Hospital/Leominster.
The sedan driver, Henry, is facing charges of operating under the influence of liquor, operating a motor vehicle negligently, a marked lanes violation and speeding as a result of an accident.
According to witnesses, Henry was speeding and allegedly drunk when he rear-ended the couple.
This accident is another example of the destructive power of alcohol while operating a vehicle. We hope that Tantillo and McCann will have a speedy and full recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
According to police, the 2-car accident occurred when Norman Henry of Leominster, driving a blue sedan, rear-ended a couple driving a red Toyota as they attempted to take a left turn onto Tisdale Street.
The male driver in the red Toyota was thrown into the back seat in the crash.
Both people in the Toyotoa, Michael Tantillo of Leominster and Elizabeth McCann of Bolton, were trapped in, so Fire Department rescue workers had to use the Jaws of Life to save them from the vehicle.
Deputy Fire Chief Scott Cordio said, "We tried to have them LifeFlighted, but helicopters in Worcester and Boston were tied up."
Tantillo and McCann were rushed to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, while the Henry was taken to HealthAlliance Hospital/Leominster.
The sedan driver, Henry, is facing charges of operating under the influence of liquor, operating a motor vehicle negligently, a marked lanes violation and speeding as a result of an accident.
According to witnesses, Henry was speeding and allegedly drunk when he rear-ended the couple.
This accident is another example of the destructive power of alcohol while operating a vehicle. We hope that Tantillo and McCann will have a speedy and full recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Lynn Driver Injures Pedestrian in Crash
A Lynn man was arraigned in court yesterday on charges in an accident that seriously injured a pedestrian on Monday night.
Luis Agustin, 20, allegedly drove a small black 1995 Honda Civic without headlights on at a high speed through a stop sign and seriously injured a pedestrian. The 22-year-old pedestrian victim was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Agustin was charged with leaving the scene of personal injury, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle lights violation, unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, failure to stop and or yield, crosswalk violation, number plate violation and failure to appear upon recognizance.
Agustin was ordered held in lieu of $20,000 cash bail. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for September 9.
Luis Agustin, 20, allegedly drove a small black 1995 Honda Civic without headlights on at a high speed through a stop sign and seriously injured a pedestrian. The 22-year-old pedestrian victim was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Agustin was charged with leaving the scene of personal injury, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle lights violation, unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, failure to stop and or yield, crosswalk violation, number plate violation and failure to appear upon recognizance.
Agustin was ordered held in lieu of $20,000 cash bail. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for September 9.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Weekend Crashes in Massachusetts
Here is a summary of the most recent motor vehicle accidents that occurred over the weekend ( Aug 6 - Aug 8) in Massachusetts.
- A Cape Cod rider, Alan Hurwitz, 52, of East Falmouth, died on Friday after his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck in at the intersection of Turner and Thomas B. Landers roads in Falmouth. Hurwitz was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital, but died a few hours later. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, police said.
- Police chase ended in a stolen car crash in Sutton, MA on Friday. The chase began on Route 146 and ended with a car crash into a tree on Boston Road and the arrests of three people: William Rodriguez, 17, of Worcester, and two passengers Dennis Cruz, 17, and Ezequera Cruz, 19, both of New Bedford.
Rodriguez was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, failure to stop on the signal of a police officer, negligent driving, and speeding. His passengers were charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
- A Whitman man, David Gargon, 43, was in critical condition in the intensive care unit at UMass Memorial Medical Center over the weekend following a 3-vehicle crash in Grafton on Friday.
Gargon was injured when his Toyota Tundra pickup truck struck a Ford Escort stopped in the eastbound breakdown lane, and then hit a 2002 Freightliner tractor-trailer truck stopped in traffic. According to police, Gargon was speeding in the breakdown lane when the accident occurred. The other drivers were not injured.
- An off-duty Boston police officer, Michael Long, 38, driving through a construction site struck a civilian flagger in Dedham Friday morning.
Officer Long, an 11-year veteran of the Boston police, was making a left turn onto Washington Street in his Ford Expedition when the passenger-side mirror struck the construction worker James Leydon, 58, in the elbow. Long drove on, saying later that he wasn't aware he struck anybody. Dedham police do not plan to file charges against Long.
- A 2-car crash on I-91 after 5 pm on Saturday caused 3 injuries and hours of traffic delays in West Springfiled. The crash occurred just south of Mass. Turnpike exit 14 when a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo driven by Heraldo Tapia (who didn't have a driver's license), 51, rolled over after crashing with a Nissan Murano.
- Matthew Amorello, the former Massachusetts Turnpike Authority chief was arrested for drunken driving after he crashed his car into two parked vehicles in Haverhill early Saturday morning. See more here.
- A Hampden biker was killed in a crash on Sunday after his motorcycle struck a utility pole on Wilbraham Road in Hampden. Stephen R. Came, 57, died before the emergency crews arrived at the scene.
- A Cape Cod rider, Alan Hurwitz, 52, of East Falmouth, died on Friday after his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck in at the intersection of Turner and Thomas B. Landers roads in Falmouth. Hurwitz was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital, but died a few hours later. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, police said.
- Police chase ended in a stolen car crash in Sutton, MA on Friday. The chase began on Route 146 and ended with a car crash into a tree on Boston Road and the arrests of three people: William Rodriguez, 17, of Worcester, and two passengers Dennis Cruz, 17, and Ezequera Cruz, 19, both of New Bedford.
Rodriguez was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, failure to stop on the signal of a police officer, negligent driving, and speeding. His passengers were charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
- A Whitman man, David Gargon, 43, was in critical condition in the intensive care unit at UMass Memorial Medical Center over the weekend following a 3-vehicle crash in Grafton on Friday.
Gargon was injured when his Toyota Tundra pickup truck struck a Ford Escort stopped in the eastbound breakdown lane, and then hit a 2002 Freightliner tractor-trailer truck stopped in traffic. According to police, Gargon was speeding in the breakdown lane when the accident occurred. The other drivers were not injured.
- An off-duty Boston police officer, Michael Long, 38, driving through a construction site struck a civilian flagger in Dedham Friday morning.
Officer Long, an 11-year veteran of the Boston police, was making a left turn onto Washington Street in his Ford Expedition when the passenger-side mirror struck the construction worker James Leydon, 58, in the elbow. Long drove on, saying later that he wasn't aware he struck anybody. Dedham police do not plan to file charges against Long.
- A 2-car crash on I-91 after 5 pm on Saturday caused 3 injuries and hours of traffic delays in West Springfiled. The crash occurred just south of Mass. Turnpike exit 14 when a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo driven by Heraldo Tapia (who didn't have a driver's license), 51, rolled over after crashing with a Nissan Murano.
- Matthew Amorello, the former Massachusetts Turnpike Authority chief was arrested for drunken driving after he crashed his car into two parked vehicles in Haverhill early Saturday morning. See more here.
- A Hampden biker was killed in a crash on Sunday after his motorcycle struck a utility pole on Wilbraham Road in Hampden. Stephen R. Came, 57, died before the emergency crews arrived at the scene.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Chicopee Man Breaks In "Bait Car"
A "bait car" planted by police lured in a repeat offender to break in and get arrested in Hadley on Monday.
News reports said that the 37-year-old Chicopee man was arrested after he broke into the bait car to steal the electronic equipment inside it in a University of Massachusetts parking lot, and then tried to flee from the scene while running down two campus police officers.
John J. Calver Jr., 37, was apprehended on Route 9 in Hadley following a pursuit from the UMass campus.
He was charged with two counts each of breaking and entering into an auto, larceny over $250, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with intent to commit a felony, and three counts of leaving the scene of an accident.
In addition, Calver was also charged with driving without a license, speeding, possession of burglary tools, reckless driving, failure to stop for a police officer and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
At his arraignment Tuesday in Belchertown District Court, he was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Calver was arrested as after reports of multiple car breaks at UMass during the course of last week in which laptops and dashboard navigation systems were stolen. Hence the bait car stuffed with electronic equipment (a laptop and other electronics) clearly visible.
Police watched from a distance as Calver approached the car, entered it and removed the electronics. When police went after him, Calver attempted to drive off in his car, nearly hitting two officers.
Calver may face additional charges in connection with similar breaks in surrounding communities, including Amherst and Hadley, police said.
News reports said that the 37-year-old Chicopee man was arrested after he broke into the bait car to steal the electronic equipment inside it in a University of Massachusetts parking lot, and then tried to flee from the scene while running down two campus police officers.
John J. Calver Jr., 37, was apprehended on Route 9 in Hadley following a pursuit from the UMass campus.
He was charged with two counts each of breaking and entering into an auto, larceny over $250, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with intent to commit a felony, and three counts of leaving the scene of an accident.
In addition, Calver was also charged with driving without a license, speeding, possession of burglary tools, reckless driving, failure to stop for a police officer and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
At his arraignment Tuesday in Belchertown District Court, he was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Calver was arrested as after reports of multiple car breaks at UMass during the course of last week in which laptops and dashboard navigation systems were stolen. Hence the bait car stuffed with electronic equipment (a laptop and other electronics) clearly visible.
Police watched from a distance as Calver approached the car, entered it and removed the electronics. When police went after him, Calver attempted to drive off in his car, nearly hitting two officers.
Calver may face additional charges in connection with similar breaks in surrounding communities, including Amherst and Hadley, police said.
Monday, August 2, 2010
3 People Injured in Newburyport Minivan Crash
A senior driver operating a minivan in Newburyport, Massachusetts lost control of his vehicle and struck 3 people watching the homecoming parade on Sunday afternoon.
Eyewitnesses said that the minivan was spotted accelerating at about 45 mph before the crash which occurred around 2:17 p.m.
The 91-year-old driver of the red minivan, Harold Teague, of Newburyport, struck 3 people just as the parade was wrapping up, police said.
Among the three injured were husband and a wife, who were trying to go across a crosswalk at the parade.The van instead of stopping, accelerated and crossed into the opposite lane of traffic, hitting the woman head-on.
Police said that the woman kind of flew in the air, then landed on the hood of a vehicle, and then fell on the road under the minivan's tires. According to the police, one of the tires brushed against the woman's head.
Again, instead of stopping, Teague accelerated across the street and hit a rock, coming to a stop at the opposite side of the street.
Emergency workers examined the woman. She was later listed in "serious but stable condition" at a local hospital. Her husband was also injured by the minivan, but not as seriously.
Teague's son was in the passenger seat when the accident occurred.
It is not clear whether mechanical problems caused Teague to speed at about 45 mph and lose control of the minivan. Teague's vehicle is to be inspected today for problems with the accelerator.
News Sources: The Boston Channel.
Eyewitnesses said that the minivan was spotted accelerating at about 45 mph before the crash which occurred around 2:17 p.m.
The 91-year-old driver of the red minivan, Harold Teague, of Newburyport, struck 3 people just as the parade was wrapping up, police said.
Among the three injured were husband and a wife, who were trying to go across a crosswalk at the parade.The van instead of stopping, accelerated and crossed into the opposite lane of traffic, hitting the woman head-on.
Police said that the woman kind of flew in the air, then landed on the hood of a vehicle, and then fell on the road under the minivan's tires. According to the police, one of the tires brushed against the woman's head.
Again, instead of stopping, Teague accelerated across the street and hit a rock, coming to a stop at the opposite side of the street.
Emergency workers examined the woman. She was later listed in "serious but stable condition" at a local hospital. Her husband was also injured by the minivan, but not as seriously.
Teague's son was in the passenger seat when the accident occurred.
It is not clear whether mechanical problems caused Teague to speed at about 45 mph and lose control of the minivan. Teague's vehicle is to be inspected today for problems with the accelerator.
News Sources: The Boston Channel.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Man Killed and Little Girl Injured in NH Crash
A man was killed and a small child was injured in an SUV crash in Somersworth, New Hampshire on Thursday.
The driver, Lance Doran of Dover, NH, died almost instantly when the 2004 Jeep Liberty, which was speeding through the intersection of Washington Street and Constitutional Way crashed into the American Legion building and caught fire.
Doran was pronounced dead at the scene.
His 4-year old granddaughter was in the back seat, and was pulled from the Jeep by witnesses. It was reported that the little girl suffered minor injuries.
The building sustained heavy damage when the SUV slammed into it with such force that it wound up halfway inside. News reports noted that the American Legion Hall was nearly knocked off its foundation.
Some witnesses saw the vehicle speeding down Green Street and going through stop signs and intersections before crashing into the cinderblock wall.
Luckily, even though a few people were inside the building at the time, they were on the opposite side of the building, so no one got injured.
Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, and if something happened to Doran to cause him to speed at 100 mph and crash into the building.
News Sources: WHDH, WCSH6.
The driver, Lance Doran of Dover, NH, died almost instantly when the 2004 Jeep Liberty, which was speeding through the intersection of Washington Street and Constitutional Way crashed into the American Legion building and caught fire.
Doran was pronounced dead at the scene.
His 4-year old granddaughter was in the back seat, and was pulled from the Jeep by witnesses. It was reported that the little girl suffered minor injuries.
The building sustained heavy damage when the SUV slammed into it with such force that it wound up halfway inside. News reports noted that the American Legion Hall was nearly knocked off its foundation.
Some witnesses saw the vehicle speeding down Green Street and going through stop signs and intersections before crashing into the cinderblock wall.
Luckily, even though a few people were inside the building at the time, they were on the opposite side of the building, so no one got injured.
Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, and if something happened to Doran to cause him to speed at 100 mph and crash into the building.
News Sources: WHDH, WCSH6.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Methuen Teen in Lawrence Car Chase Accident
A high-speed police chase of a stolen car involving a 17-year-old teenager from Methuen, ended in a car accident in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in which the driver and two passengers fled the scene.
The whole incident started in Methuen at 1:50 am on Sunday, when Methuen police officer Neil Quinlan noticed a green 1997 Honda Accord on Pelham Street heading east toward Broadway.
According to news reports, Quinlan checked the car's license plate number and after finding out that it was stolen, he tried to make the driver pull over. Instead, the driver sped away down Broadway going toward Lawrence.
Reportedly, the stolen car was going at 70-80 mph.
It tried to slow down at the intersection with Bradford Street, and make a left onto the one-way street (in the wrong direction).
The attempt failed as the car struck a parked vehicle and came to a halt.
At that moment, the driver and two passengers ran away from the car.
One person remained in the vehicle, Edgar Cuevas, 17 of Methuen, and was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property.
Police said he was not cooperating and has not been forthcoming with details about his accomplices.
The incident remains under police investigation.
News Sources: The Eagle Tribune.
The whole incident started in Methuen at 1:50 am on Sunday, when Methuen police officer Neil Quinlan noticed a green 1997 Honda Accord on Pelham Street heading east toward Broadway.
According to news reports, Quinlan checked the car's license plate number and after finding out that it was stolen, he tried to make the driver pull over. Instead, the driver sped away down Broadway going toward Lawrence.
Reportedly, the stolen car was going at 70-80 mph.
It tried to slow down at the intersection with Bradford Street, and make a left onto the one-way street (in the wrong direction).
The attempt failed as the car struck a parked vehicle and came to a halt.
At that moment, the driver and two passengers ran away from the car.
One person remained in the vehicle, Edgar Cuevas, 17 of Methuen, and was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property.
Police said he was not cooperating and has not been forthcoming with details about his accomplices.
The incident remains under police investigation.
News Sources: The Eagle Tribune.
Another Mass. Trooper Struck by Drunk Driver
Another Massachusetts police trooper got struck by an alleged drunk driver.
This is the 6th accident in the last 6 weeks involving a trooper hit by an accused drunken driver.
This time, the driver ran over state police trooper Paul Gifford’s foot while he was working a traffic detail in the North End on Saturday night/early Sunday morning.
The incident occurred on Sunday around 12:45 am close to the intersection of Acushnet Avenue and Holly Street in New Bedford, MA.
The trooper suffered right leg injuries as he was struck by a speeding car while he was outside his cruiser. Another police officer pulled him back to the curb to save him from the car, or he would have suffered even greater injuries, even possible death.
Gifford recovered from his injuries and returned to duty. He soon arrested the driver, Rogerio Mendonca, 29, of New Bedford, even after his foot was injured.
Mendonca was charged with drunken driving.
Massachusetts State Police spokesman, David Procopio, told the Boston Herald, "We are relieved that Trooper Gifford was not more seriously hurt, but once again, this underscores the dangers all police officers face from passing cars while on duty."
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the number of United States police officers who have died in the line of duty is up 43% so far this year.
The continuous series of crashes involving state troopers this summer has prompted the Massachusetts State Police to launch 1,000 extra patrols under the name of “Operation Lightning”. In addition, the state police will conduct a review of its safety procedures, policies and equipment aimed at decreasing the number of incidents in the future.
In a related note, the news article said that there have been 12 impaired driver arrests in Massachusetts this past weekend alone, as well as 270 citations for traffic violations and 8 criminal summonses for drunk drivers.
News Sources: The Boston Herald, The Boston Channel, The Boston Globe, WHDH, The Patriot Ledger.
This is the 6th accident in the last 6 weeks involving a trooper hit by an accused drunken driver.
This time, the driver ran over state police trooper Paul Gifford’s foot while he was working a traffic detail in the North End on Saturday night/early Sunday morning.
The incident occurred on Sunday around 12:45 am close to the intersection of Acushnet Avenue and Holly Street in New Bedford, MA.
The trooper suffered right leg injuries as he was struck by a speeding car while he was outside his cruiser. Another police officer pulled him back to the curb to save him from the car, or he would have suffered even greater injuries, even possible death.
Gifford recovered from his injuries and returned to duty. He soon arrested the driver, Rogerio Mendonca, 29, of New Bedford, even after his foot was injured.
Mendonca was charged with drunken driving.
Massachusetts State Police spokesman, David Procopio, told the Boston Herald, "We are relieved that Trooper Gifford was not more seriously hurt, but once again, this underscores the dangers all police officers face from passing cars while on duty."
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the number of United States police officers who have died in the line of duty is up 43% so far this year.
The continuous series of crashes involving state troopers this summer has prompted the Massachusetts State Police to launch 1,000 extra patrols under the name of “Operation Lightning”. In addition, the state police will conduct a review of its safety procedures, policies and equipment aimed at decreasing the number of incidents in the future.
In a related note, the news article said that there have been 12 impaired driver arrests in Massachusetts this past weekend alone, as well as 270 citations for traffic violations and 8 criminal summonses for drunk drivers.
News Sources: The Boston Herald, The Boston Channel, The Boston Globe, WHDH, The Patriot Ledger.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
3 Dead in Worcester Crash
A fatal motor vehicle crash in Worcester, Massachusetts left three people dead over the weekend.
News reports covering the deadly car-truck collision noted that two of the victims, Thomas Serewicz, 23, and Stephen Larson, 25, were heading home in a 1990 GMC Sierra pickup truck after a weekend fishing trip when a driver coming in the opposite direction struck their vehicle head-on.
Police said the car driver, Ashley Hannan, 25 (some reports say she was 23 years old) was driving her SUV, a 2005 Cheverolet Equinox on the wrong side of I-190, causing the fatal crash in which all three died.
The tragedy of this incident is not only that three young lives were lost in one crash, but their families will also suffer in their loss.
Serewicz leaves behind him his wife and his two little boys. His mother, Lynne Serewicz described her son as a loving family man. She said he was a welder who was struggling to find a job
Larson, a Lunenburg man, was an Iraq war veteran who served from 2005 to 2006 with the Army Reserve’s 220th Transportation Company based out of Keene, NH.
Ashley Hannan's father said she was a “real sweetheart." Hannan was working as a personal trainer, and was involved in body training and fitness competitions across the US.
Police are waiting for toxicology lab results to determine the cause of the accident. Speeding may also be a contributing factor.
We offer our sincerest condolences to the families of Thomas Serewicz, Stephen Larson, and Ashley Hannan in their painful hour.
News Sources: Boston Globe, Boston Herald, NECN, Telegram.com.
News reports covering the deadly car-truck collision noted that two of the victims, Thomas Serewicz, 23, and Stephen Larson, 25, were heading home in a 1990 GMC Sierra pickup truck after a weekend fishing trip when a driver coming in the opposite direction struck their vehicle head-on.
Police said the car driver, Ashley Hannan, 25 (some reports say she was 23 years old) was driving her SUV, a 2005 Cheverolet Equinox on the wrong side of I-190, causing the fatal crash in which all three died.
The tragedy of this incident is not only that three young lives were lost in one crash, but their families will also suffer in their loss.
Serewicz leaves behind him his wife and his two little boys. His mother, Lynne Serewicz described her son as a loving family man. She said he was a welder who was struggling to find a job
Larson, a Lunenburg man, was an Iraq war veteran who served from 2005 to 2006 with the Army Reserve’s 220th Transportation Company based out of Keene, NH.
Ashley Hannan's father said she was a “real sweetheart." Hannan was working as a personal trainer, and was involved in body training and fitness competitions across the US.
Police are waiting for toxicology lab results to determine the cause of the accident. Speeding may also be a contributing factor.
We offer our sincerest condolences to the families of Thomas Serewicz, Stephen Larson, and Ashley Hannan in their painful hour.
News Sources: Boston Globe, Boston Herald, NECN, Telegram.com.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Veteran Trooper Killed by Drunk Driver
Another drunk driving accident in Massachusetts, this time resulting in the death of a Massachusetts State Police Trooper.
Sgt. Doug Weddleton, 52, a veteran trooper working an overnight construction detail was struck and killed by a suspected drunken driver, AP reports.
Police said that Weddleton had pulled over a car on I-95 North in Mansfield, MA, to prevent it from entering a closed ramp at about 1:30 am last night. He was out of his cruiser when a second vehicle struck the first, pushing it into the trooper, the AP report said.
The first driver, Kenneth Weiand, 43, of Walpole, faces drunken driving charges. The driver of the second vehicle, Anthony Perry, 45, of Boston, is charged with motor vehicle homicide, drunk driving and speeding.
We offer our sincerest condolences and sympathies to his wife and four sons.
Check out the Drunk Driving Statistics in Massachusetts here.
You can also find more information about alcohol-related accidents on the NHTSA website, and information on DUI laws in Massachusetts on the US DUI Laws website.
Sgt. Doug Weddleton, 52, a veteran trooper working an overnight construction detail was struck and killed by a suspected drunken driver, AP reports.
Police said that Weddleton had pulled over a car on I-95 North in Mansfield, MA, to prevent it from entering a closed ramp at about 1:30 am last night. He was out of his cruiser when a second vehicle struck the first, pushing it into the trooper, the AP report said.
The first driver, Kenneth Weiand, 43, of Walpole, faces drunken driving charges. The driver of the second vehicle, Anthony Perry, 45, of Boston, is charged with motor vehicle homicide, drunk driving and speeding.
We offer our sincerest condolences and sympathies to his wife and four sons.
Check out the Drunk Driving Statistics in Massachusetts here.
You can also find more information about alcohol-related accidents on the NHTSA website, and information on DUI laws in Massachusetts on the US DUI Laws website.
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