crash_reports

On Saturday March 9, 2019, at approximately 0230 hours, I, Officer Brandon, responded to the Weston/Newton line on Commonwealth Ave to assist Weston PD with field sobriety. On arrival Weston PD had concluded field sobriety and determined that the party, Glenn Matot, was not under the influence. Weston PD then explained that they had been contacted by AAA stating that a single vehicle accident occurred in Weston's jurisdiction. After further review, Weston PD and I determined that the accident was in fact in Newton. I then spoke with the operator of MV1, Glenn Matot, who stated that he was on his way home from work traveling westbound on Commonwealth ave in front of the Charles River Canoe and Kayak when he became distracted by a text message. Mr. Matot further explained that while texting, his car drifted to the right causing him to drive up on the snow bank and up onto the guard rail before then falling off back into the road. MV1 sustained major damage to both the passenger side and undercarriage. Mr. Matot did not sustain any injuries and denied any medical attention. AAA arrived on scene and removed the vehicle from the road and Mr. Matot took an Uber home. Two pictures were taken of the damaged City of Newton guard rail and submitted to IT to be attached to the report.

MV1, a 1999 Ford Explorer, MA Reg: 7ZT136, collided with a tree on city property just outside of 134 Mt Vernon St. Operator, Jarrod Stomberg, immediately told me that he looked down at his phone to make a phone call and in that moment, ran off the road and hit the tree. There was airbag deployment. Jarrod signed a refusal with the medics and was driven home by a family member. He was issued in hand MA Citation T1441780 for 90/13B - Texting While Driving. The vehicle was towed by Tody's Towing. Pictures were taken of the scene and placed into ITs box.

MV1 was parked in front of #96 McCarthy Rd. MV2 is a City of Newton Forestry truck that was occupied and parked behind MV1 waiting to move up to a work site. MV2 began moving forward towards the site and struck MV1 from behind. Operator states that he was distracted by repositioning his seat and forgot that MV1 was parked in front him. There was a scratch to MV2 and damage to the rear of MV1. Pictures were taken by me and TOT IT.

Based on the witness statement of Yehor Shumerko, the operator of MV1 rolled down Eliot Street subsequently backing her vehicle into the foundation of 330 Eliot Street. Both tenants of the home then stated that they exited the home and when attempting to speak with operator she appeared distraught and begged them not to call the police before then leaving the scene without providing any information. Both occupants of the home were uninjured. Fire responded and determined that the home was safe for the time being. Wellesley PD attempted to locate the owner of the vehicle at her residence with negative results. Photographs of the scene were taken and submitted to IT to be attached to this report. Massachusetts Uniform Citation T2079291 was issued via mail to the operator of MV1 for 90-24, Leaving the scene of property damage. Approximately 1 hour later Officer Guarino located the operator of MV1 several streets away on Columbia Ave. She stated that she was smoked a cigarette when he vehicle began to roll backwards and struck the house. The operator of MV1 also stated that she did not believe there was any damage to the home which is why she left despite major damage to her vehicle. Todys responded to the scene and towed the vehicle.

Mv#1 was travelling on Kenwood Ave S/B, veered off the road to the right and struck a city light gas pole in front of #11 Kenwood. #1 operator stated she got distracted by admiring the blooming flowers on a tree across the street, taking her eyes off the road resulting in the collision with the pole. Pole broke in half near the middle of it. NFD was able to shut the gas off. National Grid was notified to respond. City was notified of the pole damage. Mv#1 appeared to sustain light damage to the front passenger side front end. I took photos of pole damage. Camera memory chip with photos placed in the IT bureau mail slot.

On Sunday 8/2/20 at approximately 701 hours while assigned to marked unit n499 I was dispatched to the rear of the Lifetime Center (300 Boylston Street) for a single vehicle motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival I observed a Black Honda CRV with significant front end damage next to a dumpster in the shoulder of Florence Street behind the Lifetime Center. Dumpster was placedt there for the ongoing construction at the Lifetime Center. I spoke with the operator of the CRV, LYSGAARD Ingrid, who states she was frustrated by all the noise being made by the construction workers. Ingrid states she drove to the site to take pictures of the workers whom she believed to be working in violation of Newton's city noise ordinance. She pulled over to the side of the road to take a picture with her cell phone, but didnt realize her foot came off the brake pedal causing her to strike the dumpster. Fire and Medics also responded to the crash and ingrid signed a patient refusal after being evaluated by the medics Tody's responded and towed the vehicle. I stayed on scene until the vehicle was removed and Ingid's son came to transport her hiome.

ON 8-4-20 AT APPROX. 1307HRS. WHILE WORKING N492 I TOOK A REPORT FOR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE INTERSECTION OF WASHINGTON ST AND HARRINGTON ST. I SPOKE TO THE OPERATOR OF VEHICLE #1. DRIVER STATES HE WAS TRAVELING W-BOUND ON WASHINGTON ST. HE LOOKED AT HIS G.P.S. AND WHEN HE LOOKED UP HE WAS UNABLE TO AVOID HITTING VEHICLE #2. DRIVER OF VEHICLE #2 STATES HE WAS STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AT HARRINGTON AND WASHINGTON. HE STATES WHILE STOPPED HE WAS HIT IN LEFT FRONT SIDE BY VEHICLE #1. VEHICLE #1 HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED BY TODYS. VEHICLE #2 HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS ALSO TOWED BY TODYS. DRIVER #1 REPORTS NO INJURIES. DRIVER #2 HAD A BLOODY NOSE. BOTH PARTIES WERE EXAMINED BY MEDICS AND SIGNED PATIENT REFUSAL. WHILE CRASHING THE VEHICLE MOTION TOOK THEM ONTO THE SIDEWALK AT THE CORNER OF HARRINGTON AND WASHINGTON. OWNER OF 45 HARRINGTON REPORTS DAMAGE TO HIS FRONT BUSHES AND A SMALL TREE. THERE WAS A CITY STREET SIGN THAT GOT BENT DURING THE CRASH. PICTURES TAKEN BY N522 ( OFF MCSWEENEY ) AND TURNED OVER TO I.T. BUREAU. BOTH PARTIES WERE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE AGENCIES.

The witness stated she was travelling southbound on Lexington St a few vehicles behind MV#1 and observed MV#1 veered towards the northbound travel lane and striking the city tree and retaining wall of 106 Lexington St. The witness then pulled over and assisted the operator of MV#1. The operator of MV#1 stated she was travelling southbound on Lexington St and was "multi tasking" inside her vehicle when she veered off into the northbound travel lane, jumped the curb onto the sidewalk and got wedged in between a city tree and the retaining wall of 106 Lexington St. The operator of MV#1 was not injured but could not exit her vehicle because the doors were wedged in between the tree and retaining wall. MV#1 sustained heavy front end damages, broken front passenger window, front passenger wheel and deployed driver's side airbag. The operator of MV#1 stated she was not injured and was evaluated by Newton Paramedics and signed a patient refusal. The operator of MV#1 was coherent and appeared to be of sound mind and health. I transported the operator of MV#1 to her home and Tody's Towing took possession of her vehicle. Traffic unit 535 took photographs of the damaged city tree.

I responded to the area of 63 Pierrepoint Rd for a report of an MVA single car crash into a tree. I responded to the area at approx. 1752 hrs 09/19/2020. I was advised by NPD Dispatch that the vehicle was unoccupied and that the vehicle has been there all day according to the anonymous reporting party.. When I arrived on location I observed MA Reg. 31542 off the roadway facing westbound directly in front of a tree. This was located directly in front of the residence of 63 Pierrepont Rd. The vehicle was unoccupied with heavy front end damage and front and side airbag deployment. The windows were left 2/3 of the way open and the cars ignition key was left on the driver's seat. The vehicle had collided into a city tree. There was debris from the vehicle at the base of the tree. The tree had visibly been hit but there was no damage to the tree by my observation. I contacted the vehicle owner Edward G. Murray Jr. He confirmed that he had knowledge of the crash. His son Edward G Murray III was the operator at the time of the crash. Murray III had a female passenger Diana Moreno 07/12/2004. I spoke with both Murray Jr. and Murray III via telephone. Murray III stated he was driving following his GPS and suddenly an animal which he believed to be a small dog suddenly ran in front of the car. Murray III swerved to avoid hitting the animal and drove off the road and collided into the tree. He stated the crash was at approx. 0950 on 09/19/2020. I also spoke with Diana Moreno (passenger), via telephone. She could not tell me what preceded the crash as she was looking at her cell phone just prior to the crash. Murray III and Moreno confirmed they were not injured as a result of the crash. Murray III contacted his father and informed him of the crash. Neither party contacted police. Murray Jr contacted AAA to respond advising the vehicle needed to be towed. Murray Jr. stated he was not further contacted by AAA and assumed that the vehicle was towed. Murray III and Moreno left the vehicle parked off the roadway as AAA was not immediately responding. I photographed the crash scene. The photo memory disk has been submitted to NPD IT bureau. The vehicle was towed by Tody's Service Inc.

On, 11/19/2020 at approximately 1700 hrs, Newton Police and Fire were dispatched to Commonwealth Ave. and Prince St. for a reported head on motor vehicle collision with injuries. Upon arrival, I observed MV#1 ( 1WDR15) facing eastbound in the westbound travel lane. MV#2 (986KW1) was also facing eastbound, but in the eastbound travel lane. Both vehicles had significant front end damage, consistent with a head on motor vehicle collision. The operator of MV#1 was sitting on the grassy median upon my arrival. She stated she was traveling eastbound on Commonwealth Ave. when she became distracted by the radio, crossed over the double yellow line into the westbound lane of Commonwealth Ave. and collided with MV #2. The operator of MV#2 was entrapped in her vehicle, but was able to be extracted from the vehicle by Newton Fire personnel. Operator #2 was able to inform me that she was traveling westbound on Commonwealth Ave. She noticed MV#1 cross over the double yellow line at a high rate of speed, and collide into her vehicle. The operator of MV#2 was conscious and alert and transported to Tufts Medical Center Boston for an evaluation. The operator of MV#1 declined medical attention and was given a Massachusetts Uniform Citation (T2014484) for violating MGL. Ch. 89. Sec. 4(a) Marked Lanes Violation. Both vehicles were towed away from the scene by Tody's Towing Service. Photographs of this collision were taken on the (N492) camera and will be attached to this report.

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.

On Sunday 6/19/22 at aproximaytely 11:48 hours while assigned to marked unit N-498 Officer Soloman was on a special assignment to assist with a procession at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church (280 Elliot Street) beginning at noon. While setting up a road closure by placing traffic cones on Linden Street Officer Soloman inadvertently struck a parked motor vehicle in front of 43 Linden Street. While attempting to go around a traffic cone the passenger side fender above the wheel well of N-498 struck the drivers side tail light of the parked motor vehicle. The collision caused the tail light to crack on the parked motor vehicle and there were only minor scratches to N-498. Officer Soloman left the location to assist with the event at the church, Sgt. Dempsey was notified. At the conclusion of the event Officer Soloman went back to 43 Linden Street to attempt to speak with the owner of the motor vehicle. The owner was not home, but Officer Soloman was able to speak with her husband, DWYER Michael, and inform him of what happened. Officer Soloman gave him all the pertinent information that he would need. Pictures were taken of the damage to the motor vehicle and N-498 and forwarded to IT.