crash_reports: 2100000948

On 11/17/21 at 10:51 hours, I responded to the rear of the Newton Dept. of Public Works City Yard located at 74 Elliot Street for a crash that involved a city backhoe and a city contracted semi-trailer truck. No injuries were reported. On arrival, I spoke to the operator of the semi-trailer truck which is a 2006 Peterbilt Model 327 with MA APP Reg. # 3827B. The operator was identified as Robert Lawton (MA D/L # S92175566). Mr. Lawton works for Commonwealth Construction and Utilities which is owned by the Distefano Corporation in Watertown, MA. They are contracted with the City of Newton to remove debris such as concrete from the city yard. At the time, Mr. Lawton was standing on a ladder attached to the trailer overseeing it being loaded up by a city backhoe. The truck was parked and facing in a westerly direction. During the loading process, the backhoe was pulling forward towards the truck in a westerly direction. The front left side wheel of the backhoe struck the truck's driver's side rear mud flap area denting it. The mud flap is made of metal and covers the four rear tires from front to back. Both Mr. Lawton or the operator of the backhoe never realized the truck had been struck until another worker from Commonwealth Construction noticed it. The backhoe is a yellow 2014 JCB 3CX14 with MA Apportioned Reg. # M88532. The operator of the backhoe Michael Daniele (MA D/L # S43438211) works for the City of Newton Dept. of Public Works out of 74 Elliot Street. There was no damage to the backhoe. Digital photos taken.