crash_reports: 22000476

On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, while assigned to Traffic unit N525, I responded to the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Temple Street, Newton, for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a City of Newton contracted school bus with students onboard. At the time of the crash there was a light rain falling with overcast conditions. The road surface was wet. Commonwealth Avenue and Temple Street are both public ways maintained by the City of Newton. I spoke with the operator of MV1, Ms. Brenda Keefe (S95491012). Ms. Keefe stated he was operating a 2018 Ford Transit van (MA SPN: SP109407) owned by JSC Transportation at the time of the crash. JSC Transportation is contracted by the City of Newton to transport Newton Public School students. Ms. Keefe stated she was traveling on Commonwealth Avenue (W) past Temple Street when a vehicle exited Temple Street right in front of her vehicle. Ms. Keefe stated she did not have time to stop and avoid the collision. The front end of MV1 crashed into the driver side of MV2. At the time of the crash, there were two students from Zervas Elementary School being transported by Ms. Keefe and a bus monitor, Ms. Emily Scofield (S96767671). The students being transported were Andre Toossi Zacarias and Daniel Alvarado. No injuries were reported by any of the occupants of MV1. Daniel and Andre were evaluated by Newton Medics and transported from the area by a parent. I observed significant damage to the entire front end of MV1. Tody's Towing responded and removed the vehicle from the roadway. The operator of MV2, Mr. William Harrigan (S77851597), stated he was operating his 2009 Toyota Yaris (MA: 2YGG77) on Temple Street (N) towards Commonwealth Avenue. Mr. Harrigan stated he came to a stop at the intersection on Temple Street, and then proceeded to enter Commonwealth Avenue to take a left turn. Mr. Hannigan stated when he entered Commonwealth Avenue and did not see MV1 traveling towards him. Mr. Hannigan stated MV1 crashed into his driver side. I observed significant damage to the entire driver side of MV2. Mr. Harrigan initially signed a patient refusal with Newton Medics, but then was transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital for evaluation. Tody's towing responded and removed MV2 from the roadway. The operator of MV3, Ms. Mary Potere (S96201952), stated she was traveling on Commonwealth Avenue (E) towards Temple Street in her 2018 Toyota Camry (MA: 18FW37). Ms. Potere stated MV2 entered the roadway in front of MV1 as it was traveling on Commonwealth Avenue (W) from Temple Street (S), and MV1 could not avoid the collision. MV2 crashed into MV3's driver side after MV2 was hit by MV1. Ms. Potere was transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital by Newton Medics for a potential head and neck injury. I observed damage to the front end and driver side of MV3. Tody's towing responded and removed MV3 from the roadway. I spoke with a witness to the crash, Ms. Susan Flicop. Ms. Flicop stated she was traveling behind MV1 on Commonwealth Avenue (W) at the time of the crash. Ms. Flicop stated she observed MV2 stopped on Temple Street ahead of MV1, and MV2 was "edging out" onto Commonwealth Avenue. Ms. Flicop stated MV2 entered Commonwealth Avenue in front of MV1, and MV1 did not have time to stop. Ms. Flicop stated MV1 crashed into MV2's driver side and pushed the vehicle back. Ms. Flicop stated at this time, MV3 was traveling on Commonwealth Avenue (E) and was hit by one of the vehicles. Ms. Flicop stated once MV2 came to a stop in the roadway, it rolled back onto the medium off the roadway. After speaking with all parties involved, I have surmised that Mr. Harrigan failed to use care while entering the roadway prior to the crash. Mr. Harrigan did not yield to MV1's right of way while she was traveling on Commonwealth Avenue, resulting in the collision. Mr. Harrigan was provided with Massachusetts Uniform Citation 455661AB in hand for Chapter 89, Section 8 (Fail to Yield to Right of Way), and Newton City Ordinance Chapter 19, Section 75 (Fail to Use Care). Photos were taken of the crash scene and submitted to the IT Bureau.