crash_reports: 2100000622

On Sunday, August 22, 2021, I was contacted by Sgt. M. Wade of the Newton Police Traffic Bureau at 0032 hours. Sgt. Wade stated a serious motor vehicle crash occurred on Washington Street in Newton and it involved a City of Newton marked police cruiser (N494). Sgt. Wade stated Officer Katelyn Pohlman and the operator of the other vehicle involved were transported to the hospital with potential serious injuries. I was requested by Sgt. Wade to respond to the scene from my residence and investigate the crash further. On arrival at the scene, I observed the two vehicles involved in the crash to be a 2015 Ford Explorer (MA: 586RT7) and Newton Police marked unit N494 (MA MVN: MP494B). These vehicles were observed disabled on the roadway in front of 612 Washington Street, Newton. There was a large debris field comprised of various parts from both vehicles on the roadway and in the parking lot of 612 Washington Street. The road surface at the time of my arrival was wet and there was light rain falling. Sgt. Wade reported that at the time of the crash the road was completely dry and it had not started to rain yet. Washington Street is a public way maintained by the City of Newton. The portion of Washington Street where the crash took place supports two- way travel, Eastbound and Westbound. There are two travel lanes in both directions. Travel direction is divided by a double yellow line in the middle of the roadway. The area is well lit and features numerous light poles illuminating the roadway. The closest intersection to this location is Crafts Street just west of the crash location. MV1 (MA: 586RT7) had substantial front-end damage, especially to its front passenger side and was inoperable. I observed this vehicle at its final rest on the roadway with its front end facing Northbound on Washington Street just over the double yellow line in the middle of the roadway. The front and side impact airbags had deployed inside the vehicle as a result of the collision. I did not observe anything hanging inside the vehicle that would have obstructed the view of the operator prior to the collision. MV1 was removed from the roadway by Tody's Towing. MV2 (MA MVN: MP494B) had substantial front end damage and was inoperable. The impact from the collision caused the vehicle to spin uncontrolled and the final rest, with the front end of the vehicle facing the front entrance to the 7-11 (S). The vehicle's final rest was on the sidewalk in front of 612 Washington Street. The front and side impact airbags had deployed inside the vehicle as a result of the collision. I did not observe anything hanging inside the vehicle that would have obstructed the view of the operator prior to the collision. MV2 was removed from the roadway by Tody's Towing. The Officer involved in the crash is Officer Katelyn Pohlman. Officer Pohlman stated she was operating Newton Police marked unit N494 on Washington Street (E) past Crafts Street. Officer Pohlman stated as she was operating her vehicle past 612 Washington Street (7-11), a vehicle in the westbound lane of Washington Street abruptly crossed the double yellow line in the roadway and entered her travel lane head-on. Officer Pohlman stated she did not have an opportunity to react to the vehicle in front of her and the front passenger side of MV1 crashed into the front end of her vehicle (MV2). Officer Pohlman sustained injuries to her left forehead area and both of her arms. Officer Pohlman was later transported to Brigham and Women's Hospital for evaluation and was released a short time later. It was reported to me by numerous Officers on scene that Officer Pohlman exited her cruiser after the crash and rather than tend to her own injuries, she focused her efforts on rendering aid to the operator of the other vehicle involved. Officer Pohlman found the operator of the other vehicle lying on the floor of the front passenger seat under the dash. Officer Pohlman rendered aid to the operator while waiting for Newton Medics to arrive. Officer Pohlman was also assisted in rendering aid to the other operator by Officer Conary and Officer Larson. Officer Larson reported that while interacting with the operator of MV1, the operator repeated numerous times, "Is she ok? Is she ok?". Officer Larson also stated the operator said to him "I feel bad because I was texting on my phone". Officer Larson stated the operator of MV1 works for the Department of Corrections Special Operations Unit and has Department issues equipment inside the vehicle. The following items were placed into Support Services, locker 9 for safekeeping by Officer Larson: 1 Gray Pelican Gun Case, 1 Black Gun Belt, 1 Taser, 1 Can OC Spray, 15 (50) Round Cases Of Ammunition. The operator of MV1 (MA: 586RT7) was identified as Mr. David Cafarelli (S16965940). Mr. Cafarelli was transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital for a potential head injury before my arrival. I spoke with Mr. Cafarelli at Newton Wellesley Hospital in the Emergency Room with Sgt. Wade. Mr. Cafarelli's mother and father were present when we spoke with him. Mr. Cafarelli stated he was out with friends before the crash and was driving to the 7-11 on Washington Street. Mr. Cafarelli admitted that before the crash, he had his cell phone in his hand while he was operating his vehicle. Mr. Cafarelli stated he does not remember if he was texting or changing the music on his phone at the time of the crash. Mr. Cafarelli stated he looked up and was unable to avoid the vehicle (N494) directly in front of him. Mr. Cafarelli stated he also does not believe he applied his brakes before the collision. When we spoke with Mr. Cafarelli in the Emergency Room, he was still waiting for test results to determine the severity of his injuries. On Monday, August 23, 2021, Sgt. Wade responded to 612 Washington Street, Newton to retrieve surveillance footage from the 7-11 of the crash. 7-11 stated their outside surveillance system was not operating correctly, but they were able to capture some of the incident from a camera inside the store. I observed this footage. MV1 is observed traveling on Washington Street (W) in the westbound travel lane in front of the storefront. MV1's driver side is then observed traveling over the double yellow line in the middle of the roadway and into the eastbound lane of Washington Street. A head on collision ensues and MV1 can be seen rotating counterclockwise in the roadway backwards to its final rest location on Washington Street. MV2 is then observed at its final rest position on the sidewalk facing southbound in front of the 7-11 storefront. After completing my investigation, I have surmised the following. Mr. Cafarelli was operating his 2015 Ford Explorer (MA: 586RT7) in the area of 612 Washington Street, Newton. Mr. Cafarelli was holding his cell phone in his hand while operating his vehicle. Mr. Cafarelli became distracted while he was operating his vehicle due to his attention being focused on his cell phone. Mr. Cafarelli traveled over the double yellow line from the westbound lane of Washington Street and entered the eastbound lane of Washington Street. Newton Police marked unit N494 was traveling on Washington Street (E) in the area of 612 Washington Street at this time. Mr. Cafarelli's vehicle crashed into the front end of Newton Police marked unit N494. Mr. Cafarelli was not wearing a seatbelt and as a result of the impact from the crash, he was ejected from the driver seat and his final rest inside the vehicle was in the flood of the front passenger seat. As a result of my investigation, Mr. Cafarelli was issued Massachusetts Uniform Citation for Chapter 90, Section 13B (Hands-Free Violation), Chapter 89, Section 4a (Marked Lanes Violation), and Chapter 90, Section 13a (Seat Belt Violation). Photos from the crash scene and the surveillance media from 7-11 capturing the crash were submitted to the IT Bureau.