crash_reports: 2000000189

On 02/26/2020 I responded to the area of Eastbourne Rd and Ireland Rd for a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian. Eastbourne RD is a public way which runs from Ward St north bound intersecting with Ireland Rd on the far north end. Ireland RD is a public way which runs west to east. Both the east end and the west end of Ireland Rd are dead ends. The crash occured on Ireland Rd's east end near the intersection of Eastbourne Rd. The crash involved Vehicle 1 described as a 2016 Acura SUV color grey bearing MA passenger registration 3RB127. Vehicle 1 had a valid inspection sticker which expires on 08/30/2020. Vehicle 1 was operated by its owner identified as Barbara Ball. Ball has an active MA Operators License (S18727836). The involved pedestrian was identified as Bruce Terrio. Terrio is an employee of Feeney Brothers Utility Services. Feeney Brothers Utility Services is a contractor of National Grid Gas Company. Upon arrival I observed the following: The crash occurred in the daylight hours around 10:30am on Ireland Rd near the intersection of Eastbourne Rd. At the time of the crash the weather conditions were clear, 48 degrees Fahrenheit and overcast skies (weather.gov). The area where the crash occurred was an active construction site for Feeney Brothers Utility Services. The area of the crash is a dead end. The area is accessed from Ward St from either Eastbourne Rd or Coolidge Rd. The entrances of both Eastbourne Rd and Coolidge Rd had construction signs indicating utility work in the area. At the time of the crash, all roadways were open to vehicle traffic. On the eastbound side of Eastbourne Rd just prior to the intersection of Ireland Rd, I observed a large air compressor which was parked in the roadway facing south bound. No traffic cones were located near the air compressor. To the right of the air compressor were thick green bushes. A wooden fence was located to the right side of the green bushes. On the east side of Ireland Rd I observed a large excavated hole on the right side of the roadway. The hole was near the intersection of Eastbourne Rd and was located approximately three feet from the curb. I observed four traffic cones, two on the front side and two on the left side of the hole. Located on the front edge of the hole was a tire print. Vehicle 1 was located on the west end of Ireland Rd. The front passenger tire of Vehicle 1 had fresh dirt located on the sidewalls and the tire tread. Vehicle 1 appeared to have no visible damage. The pedestrian (Terrio) was being treated by EMS and Fire for injuries. Terrio was wearing brown pants and a green reflective safety vest. I spoke with the operator of Vehicle 1 Barbara Ball. Ball stated that she was operating Vehicle 1 northbound on Eastbourne Rd near the intersection of Ireland Rd. Ball stated that she made a right turn onto Ireland Rd and drove on to the edge of the excavated hole. Ball stated that her vehicle then made impact with Terrio who was in the hole. Ball stated that she immediately stopped, backed out of the hole and called 911. Ball stated that prior to making a right turn onto Ireland Rd, there were no traffic cones in the roadway or next to the hole. Ball stated that as she made the right turn onto Ireland Rd she did not observe Terrio or the hole until it was too late. Ball states that she resides at 80 Eastbourne Rd which is the residence located to the immediate right of the crash location. Ball states that she had been recently parking on Ireland Rd due to ongoing construction at her residence. Ball states that she was traveling at a slow speed prior to impact. At the time of the crash there were three other Feeney Brothers employees working at the site. These workers were identified as Steven Gamble, Mike Cabrinma and Gerard McComaskey. At the time of the crash all three workers were located further up Eastbourne Rd near the intersection of Coolidge Rd and did not observe the crash. At the time of the crash, Newton Police Sergeant Glenn Chisholm was working a paid detail for Feeney Brothers. Sergeant Chisholm stated that he did not observe the crash.Terrio was transported by Cataldo EMS for minor injuries. Several photos were taken of the scene. Photos were taken of the hole with traffic cones and without traffic cones. All photo's were submitted to the IT Bureau. After clearing the scene, I responded to St Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, MA to interview Terrio. Terrio stated that at the time of the crash he was standing in the hole on Ireland Rd performing gas utility work. Terrio stated that the front passenger side bumper of Vehicle 1 struck him in the right shoulder. Terrio stated that the impact caused him to lose his balance and fall down in the hole. Terrio states that after falling down he was able to climb out of the hole without assistance. Terrio stated that at the time of impact he was wearing a white hard hat which he thinks struck the pavement on the edge of the hole. Terrio states that at the time of the crash he was working alone in the hole. Terrio states that at the time of the crash traffic cones were located near the hole. Terrio stated that as a result of the impact he sustained minor injuries to his right shoulder and back. I then observed Terrio's hard hat which appeared to have a fresh scrape mark on the top. The hard hat also had broken interior straps. Terrio stated that the straps broke when he was struck by Vehicle 1. Photos were taken of the hard hat and were submitted to the IT Bureau. After reviewing all facts of this incident, Vehicle 1 appeared to have been traveling at a slow speed prior to the crash. This was evident due to the lack of tire skid marks prior to the tire print on the edge of the hole. It also appears that Ball's view of the hole and Terrio may have been obstructed by the parked air compressor on Eastbourne Rd. The thick green bushes and a wooden fence to the right of the air compressor also added to the obstructed view. The hole was also located in close proximity to the air compressor which reduced Vehicle 1's reaction time. Jeff Oliver of OSHA was also notified of this incident. Photographs of the scene were provided to Oliver.