crash_reports: 1900000358

On Wednesday, April 10, 2019 while assigned to Traffic unit N525, I responded to the intersection of Centre Street and Wesley Street, Newton for a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a bicycle. It was also reported that the parties involved were arguing with each other. The weather at the time of the accident was cloudy and the road surface was dry. Centre Street and Wesley Street are both public ways maintained by the City of Newton. I spoke with the operator of MV1, Abdulaziz Stewart (S04075169). Stewart stated he was operating his 2017 Toyota Camry (MA: 669FM3) at the time of the accident. Stewart stated he came to a stop on Wesley Street (E) at Centre Street and was attempting to take a left turn onto Centre Street. Stewart stated there were no vehicles in the Southbound lane of Centre Street and there was a vehicle stopped in the Northbound lane of Centre Street motioning to him to take his left turn. Stewart stated as he began to start his left turn, a bicyclist crashed into the front passenger area of his vehicle. Stewart stated the bicycle had been traveling Northbound on Centre Street in the Southbound Lane. Stewart stated after the collision the bicyclist was yelling at him and called him a "Nigger". Stewart and his occupant, Miriam Stewart, reported no injuries. Miriam is a student at Bigelow Middle School. I observed minor damage to the front passenger quarter panel area of MV1. I spoke with the bicyclist involved in the accident, Timothy Murtagh (S49233464). Murtagh stated he was traveling Northbound on Centre Street on his Cannondale bicycle in the Southbound lane. Murtagh was not wearing any safety equipment while operating his bicycle (helmet) and was wearing a dark red jacket. Murtagh stated as he approached Wesley Street, MV1 "jammed on the gas" and hit him in the roadway. Murtagh stated he then fell to the ground and landed in the middle of the street. While speaking with Murtagh I told him it was reported to me by the operator of MV1 that he used a racial slur during their interaction. Murtagh acknowledged that he did and stated, "I called him a nigger". I observed moderate damage to the front wheel/rim of Murtagh's bicycle. Murtagh reported no injuries. Murtagh was advised and issued Massachusetts Uniform Citation T1443441 for Chapter 85, Section 11B (Fail to ride on the correct side of the roadway). Photos were taken at the scene and submitted to the IT Bureau. Due to the language used by Murtagh during his exchange with Stewart, Officer Rosenbaum of the Community Services Bureau was made aware of the incident for follow up.