crash_reports: 22000091

On 02/01/22 at 14:45 hours, I responded to 1025 Walnut St for a reported city motor vehicle crash involving a student transportation van and another vehicle. The weather at the time was 32 degrees and cloudy. The road surface was wet from a recent heavy snowfall. On arrival, I spoke to the operator of Vehicle # 1 identified as Gary Moresco (MA D/L # S26008460). He was working for JSC Transportation Services Inc. who provides transportation for City of Newton students. At the time of the crash he was transporting a student (Christopher Manthei) from Dearborn Academy back to his residence. He was operating a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan color white bearing MA Pupils reg. # 104232. I asked him for his version of events and he stated that traffic was moderate at the time and he was heading westbound on Walnut Street. Next, he says that he stopped due to Vehicle # 2 stopping in front of him. Vehicle # 2 then started moving and suddenly came to a stop again. He was then not able to stop in time. He then struck the rear end of Vehicle # 2 causing front end damage to the entire length of the car which included the bumper, grille, and hood area. Mr. Moresco reported no injuries along with the student (Manthei). Manthei was checked out by Fallon Ambulance personnel and his mother signed a patient refusal on his behalf. The mother, Jennifer Manthei, then took her son home. Operator of Vehicle # 2 was identified as Lynn Slobodin (MA D/L # S98417005). She was operating a gray 2015 Toyota Rav4 bearing MA reg. # 3EB379. A passenger with her who was sitting in the front passenger seat was identified as Julia Hass. I asked Ms. Slodobin what had occurred and she stated that she was traveling westbound on Walnut Street and a vehicle in front of her suddenly stopped. She then stopped her vehicle and that is when she was rear ended by the Dodge. Her Toyota sustained rear end damage to the trunk and entire bumper area. Ms. Slobodin complained of head and neck pain along with pain on the top of her right thigh. Ms. Hass complained of head and neck pain also. Both were checked out by Fallon Ambulance personnel and they signed patient refusals. While investigating the crash, Ofc. Colella stated to me that a witness approached him identified as Brenda Noel. Ms. Noel resides at the crash location. She stated to Ofc. Colella that once she heard the crash she came out and saw the operator of the Dodge Grand Caravan on his phone. She says that he was holding the phone up to his head with his right hand. I then asked Mr. Moresco (Dodge operator) if he was on his phone prior to the crash and he replied that he was not. He then showed me his call log after asking for it and it showed only one entry at 14:53 hours. He states he was reporting the accident to his employer at that time. There were no other entries in his call log. Next, I looked at the front of Mrs. Noel's residence and observed a camera to the right of her doorway. I then knocked on her door and inquired about possible footage of the crash and she stated only her husband knows how to work the system. I then asked her again what she had seen. She states that once she heard the crash take place she saw the operator of the Dodge holding up his right hand to his head. She stated that she never saw an actual phone. I then gave her my information to call me regarding possible footage. She then called back later and stated that the camera does not show anything. Photos taken of the scene and submitted to the I.T. Bureau.