crash_reports: 22000558

On Thursday, June 23, 2022, while assigned to unit N492, I responded to the area of Homer Street and Lowell Avenue in Newton for a report of a Hit and Run Crash. The weather at the time of the crash was clear and sunny. The road surface was dry. Detective Sgt. Claflin was working a paid detail for Feeney Brothers at the intersection of Lowell Avenue and Otis Street. While monitoring the traffic in the area, Detective Sgt. Claflin heard what he believed to be a vehicle crash in his vicinity. Detective Sgt. Claflin looked across the intersection and observed a 2020 Honda Civic (MA: 7MR818) leaving the scene down Lowell Avenue (S) towards Commonwealth Avenue. This vehicle had damage to it's passenger side door area. Detective Sgt. Claflin also observed fresh damage to the rear driver side bumper area of a 2021 Dodge Ram (MA: 5CFR30) that was parked in front of 296 Lowell Avenue (S). Detective Sgt. Claflin then entered his personal vehicle and attempted to catch up to the Honda Civic that left the scene to check on their well-being. Detective Sgt. Claflin stated as the vehicle approached the intersection of Lowell Avenue (S) and Commonwealth Avenue, it proceeded through the intersection on to Homer Street with out stopping at the red light activated at this intersection. Detective Sgt. Claflin was finally able to stop the vehicle on Homer Street just after Commonwealth Avenue. I arrived on scene and spoke with the operator, Ms. Ludmila Gelman (S30392030). I asked Ms. Gelman about the events that took place prior to Detective Sgt. Claflin stopping her. Ms. Gelman stated she did not know what happened. I observed moderate damage to the front passenger side door area of her vehicle. The front passenger door mirror was damaged and folded in. The glass window from the front passenger door was shattered and missing. There was glass from the middle covering the entire front passenger seat/floor area inside the vehicle. I showed Ms. Gelman the glass inside her vehicle and the damage to her door and asked her if she knew what caused it. Ms. Gelman stated she did not know and that something must have hit her. I explained to Ms. Gelman the events that has just transpired as conveyed to me by Detective Sgt. Claflin. Ms. Gelman seemed to be confused and did not understand what happened. Ms. Gelman called her son Steven and asked me to speak with him. I explained to Steven the events leading up to me speaking with him. I explained to Steven I did not feel comfortable allowing Ms. Gelman to drive away from the scene. At Steven's request, I moved Ms. Gelman's car away from the intersection and parked it in front of 1103 Commonwealth Avenue for him to pick it up. Ms. Gelman reported no injuries and was transported to her residence by myself in unit N492. Ms. Gelman was given Massachusetts Uniform Citation 487210AB in hand for Chapter 90, Section 24 (Leaving The Scene Of Property Damage), Chapter 89, Section 9 (Fail To Yield, Red Light), and Newton City Ordinance Chapter 19, Section 75 (Fail To Use Care). Ms. Gelman was also advised I would be filing an Immediate Threat with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. A Request for Immediate Threat License Suspension/Revocation was completed and submitted tot he Registry of Motor Vehicles with supporting documentation via e-mail, DCUImmediateThreat@massmail.state.ma.us. I returned to the area of the crash and observed damage to the rear driver side bumper area of the involved Dodge Ram. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the crash. The registered owner, Mr. Zachary Maclaughlin, was advised. A copy of the issued Criminal Application was submitted to the Court Prosecutor with supporting documentation. Otis Street, Lowell Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, and Homer Street are all public ways maintained by the City of Newton.