crash_reports: 2100000342

On Thursday May 13th, 2021 at approximately 1353 hours myself and several units responded 55 Chapel Street for a motor vehicle that struck a pedestrian. At the time of the accident the weather was sunny and the road surface was dry. Chapel Street is a public way owned and maintained by the City of Newton. Upon arrival Fire and medical personnel were attempting to remove the pedestrian from underneath the vehicle as her right leg was stuck in the undercarriage. Fire and medics were able to successfully free the pedestrian from the vehicle and render medical attention. The pedestrian was identified as Beth Herr ( S58524067) and it was determined that she was also the owner of the vehicle involved. I spoke to witness Joe Shields who stated he was outside his house located at 56 Chapel Street when his attention was brought to a blue SUV that was unoccupied moving backwards down Chapel Street. Joe stated he first witnessed the operator of the motor vehicle pull up to the UPS drop box located on the sidewalk across the street from his house. He stated he saw the female operator step out of the vehicle and drop off a package. Next he saw the vehicle start to roll backwards and the female operator opened the drivers side door and attempted to pull the emergency break. He stated the vehicle overtook her and she fell to the ground with her foot stuck under the car. Joe states he heard her yell and saw her get dragged by the vehicle to the opposite side of the street where the vehicle was stopped by the curb. Joe stated he tried to assist the woman but she was yelling in pain and he did not want to cause more injury so he waited for help to arrive. Witness Robyn Preston stated she was walking on Chapel Street when she saw the blue SUV rolling backwards with no one inside the vehicle. She states she then saw a woman try to stop the vehicle but she got dragged underneath the vehicle to its final resting place. Robyn stated she stayed on scene until help arrived. I was able to speak with Beth inside the ambulance prior to being transported to the hospital. Beth was conscious and alert but in a considerable amount of pain and discomfort. I asked her what happened to which she stated she drove her blue Toyota Rav4 MA REG: 1FHM53 to the UPS drop box located in the area of 55 Chapel Street. She stated she thought she put the vehicle in park but must not have as it started to roll backwards when she got out of the car. She states she tried to stop the car by opening the drivers side door and attempting to pull the emergency break. The car over took her and she was dragged to the ground with her right foot stuck underneath the vehicle. She was dragged across the street where the vehicle was finally stopped by a curb. Beth sustained minor scrapes and road rash on various parts of her body and her right leg was injured. Fallon medics transported her to the Brigham & Womens Hospital to be treated. Her husband was contacted using Beth's cell phone and notified of the accident. Captain Boudreau and I were able to drive her vehicle to her residence at 50 Broadway Street, Newton. Her vehicle was left parked outside her house and her car keys were left with her husband who was inside the residence. The vehicle did not sustain any damage. Pictures of the scene were taken and submitted to the IT Bureau. I will be following up with Beth at the hospital to check on her status. On Friday May 14th at 0900 hours I spoke with Beth on the phone. She stated she is home from the hospital and doing much better. She states she has right leg pain and road rash from the accident.