crash_reports

ON 12-21-19 AT APPROX. 1541HRS. WHILE WORKING N492 I TOOK A REPORT FOR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. UPON ARRIVAL AT 1201 COMMONWEALTH AVE. I SPOKE TO THE OPERATOR OF VEHICLE #1. DRIVER STATES SHE WAS TRAVELING E-BOUND ON COMM AVE. WHEN SHE SAW VEHICLE #2 CROSS THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE AND HIT HER VEHICLE. VEHICLE #2 STATES HE WAS TRAVELING W-BOUND ON COMM AVE. HE REACHED FOR AN ITEM ON HIS PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. HE STATES WHILE DOING SO HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE, CROSSED THE YELLOW LINE AND HIT VEHICLE #1. THERE WAS A WITNESS ON SCENE WHO STATED HE WAS TRAVELING E-BOUND ON COMM AVE. BEHIND VEHICLE #1. WHILE DRIVING HE SAW VEHICLE #2 CROSS THE YELLOW LINE AND HIT VEHICLE #1. VEHICLE #1 HAD EXTENSIVE LEFT SIDE DAMAGE AND AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. VEHICLE #2 HAD EXTENSIVE LEFT SIDE DAMAGE AND AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ALL PARTIES REPORTED NO INJURIES AND SIGNED PATIENT REFUSALS. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOWED BY TODYS. BASED ON THE TESTIMONIES OF BOTH DRIVERS AS WELL AS THE WITNESS OBSERVATIONS THE OPERATOR OF VEHICLE #2 WAS MAILED A CITATION ( T2079756, 89/4A, MARKED LANES VIOLATION ). ALL PARTIES ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE COMPANIES.

ON 1-27-2020 AT APPROX. 1251HRS. WHILE WORKING N492 I TOOK A REPORT FOR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE INTERSECTION OF CHESTNUT AND OTIS ST. I SPOKE TO THE OPERATOR OF VEHICLE #1 DRIVER STATES SHE WAS TRAVELING S-BOUND ON CHESTNUT ST. SHE STATES SHE DOES NOT RECALL FADING LEFT GOING OVER THE YELLOW LINE AND BANGING INTO VEHICLE #2. COMP. WAS TRANSPORTED BY MEDIC2 TO NEWTON WELLESLEY HOSPITAL FOR MINOR INJURIES AND TO POSSIBLY DETERMINE WHY SHE BLACKED OUT. VEHICLE #2 STATES HE WAS TRAVELING N-BOUND ON CHESTNUT. HE NOTICED VEHICLE #2 VEER INTO HIS LANE BUT BELIEVED SHE WAS GOING TO READJUST HER VEHICLE. HE STATES WHEN SHE DIDN'T HE WAS UNABLE TO AVOID HITTING HER. VEHICLE #1 HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS AND WAS TOWED BY TODYS. VEHICLE #2 HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED BY TODYS. OPERATOR OF VEHICLE #1 WAS TRANSPORTED TO NEWTON WELLESLEY HOSPITAL FOR MINOR INJURIES AND EVALUATION. OPERATOR OF VEHICLE #2 REPORTED NO INJURIES AND SIGNED A PATIENT REFUSAL. BOTH PARTIES WERE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE COMPANIES. CLEARED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

MV1 was operating westbound on Watertown St (public way). MV2 was parked on Watertown St in front of 144 Bridge St (public way). MV1 operator struck and side swiped MV2. MV2 sustained extensive damage. MV1 continued westbound on Watertown St and struck a cross walk sign and Newton Fire Department box which both in front of Coletti-Magni Park, and both were destroyed. MV1 hit and hopped the curb of Watertown St in front of Coletti-Magni Park, drove onto the side walk, and hit the fence of Coletti-Magni Park and damaged much of it. MV1 then came at rest on top of the Coletti-Magni Park fence and sustained extensive damage. MV1 operator stated he was not injured at this time and sign a patient refusal with Newton Medics. MV2 was unoccupied. Both MV1 and MV2 were towed by Todys.

On 09/30/2020 at approximately 19:32hrs members of the Newton Police Patrol Bureau responded to a motor vehicle crash near the intersection of Washington St and Eddy St. After an initial investigation of the crash the Patrol Bureau secured the crash scene and called in the Newton Police Traffic Bureau to investigate. At approximately 19:45hrs Sgt. Devine, Ofc Wilson and I (Ofc Schlegel) from the NPD Traffic Bureau responded to the scene to investigate. Upon arrival to the scene I was met by Ofc Kane of the NPD Patrol Bureau. Ofc Kane stated that the crash was located in the driveway of 74 Eddy St and that it involved a Ford F350 pickup striking two parked cars. Ofc Kane stated that the operator identified as Kyle Butler had already been taken to Newton Wellesley Hospital by Cataldo EMS for injuries. . Upon approaching the crash scene I observed the following: The crash occurred at night time hours at approximately 19:32EST near the intersection of Washington St and Eddy St. Both Washington St and Eddy St are public ways in the City of Newton. The weather conditions at the time of the crash were a dark and clear with a temperature of approximately 60 degrees F. Washington St is a four lane undivided roadway (2 westbound travel lanes and 2 eastbound travel lanes). Washington St lighted roadway which has concrete light poles on both the westbound and eastbound sides. Washington St was under construction at the time and had a base coat of asphalt applied. At the time of the crash Washington St did not have any painted lane markings due to ongoing construction. Washington St is separated from the road sides on both the eastbound edge and the westbound edge with fixed granite curbing. The roadway also had several orange traffic barrels and traffic cones located edges of the eastbound and westbound lanes. Affixed to the light poles and the traffic barrels were temporary no parking signs for the ongoing road construction. At the time of the crash no road construction activities were taking place. No major debris or other obstructions were observed in the roadway. Washington St is a major roadway in the City of Newton and travels west to East across the entire City of Newton. This area of Washington St where the crash occurred is in between West Newton Square and Newtonville Square, this area has a posted 35 MPH speed limit. Both West Newton Square and Newtonville Square are densely populated with several businesses and residential areas. The section of Washington St where the crash occurred is also traveled frequently by pedestrian, bicycle and motor vehicle traffic. At the time the crash occurred 19:32hrs This area of Washington St is still a heavily travelled roadway. I observed Vehicle 1 described as a 2003 Ford F350 color white (MA Reg 5DT664) located in the driveway of 74 Eddy St. 74 Eddy St is a multi-family dwelling house located on the corner of Washington St and Eddy St. The driveway of 74 Eddy St is on the Washington St side. Vehicle was faced easterly across the driveway. I observed Vehicle 1to have extensive damage to the entire vehicle including but not limited to the enclosed cab area, cab roof and all windows, front end, rear end, along with both driver and passenger side. I also observed city of Newton owned concrete traffic light resting on top of the cab area of Vehicle 1. Upon further observation of Vehicle 1 it appears that both front tires and rims were flat, heavily damaged and had little to no tread left. Both front tires were worn down to the interior steel belt. I also observed that Vehicle 1 did not have a valid inspection sticker. Located to the immediate front of Vehicle 1 and resting on the front end was a white fence which had damage consistent with the impact of a motor vehicle. Immediately to the driver's side of Vehicle 1 was Vehicle 2 described as a 2007 gray Subaru Forester (MA Reg 45D610. Vehicle 2 was facing westerly across the driveway. Vehicle 2 had extensive damage to the driver's side front end, rear end, in addition to the entire driver and passenger sides. At this time Vehicle 2's drivers door was in contact with Vehicle 1's drivers door. Both drivers doors could not be opened.The damage to Vehicle 2 appeared to be consistent with impact from another motor vehicle. To immediate passenger side of the Vehicle 2 I observed Vehicle 3 described as a 2011 Toyota Rav4 color black (MA Reg 47XB99). Vehicle was facing in an easterly direction across the driveway. I observed the Vehicle 3 to have extensive damage to driver's side rear quarter panel, passenger side front quarter panel and front end. Also observed was damage to south east corner of the dwelling of 74 Eddy St. This area of the dwelling is located adjacent to the drive way. The damage appeared consistent with the impact caused by a motor vehicle. Also observed were large amounts of debris located in the area of the crash which included the sidewalk, yard and the driveway of 74 Eddy St. The debris included pieces of concrete which appeared to have been dislodged from the concrete light pole. A city of Newton no parking sign was lying in the yard of 74 Eddy St. This parking sign would have been attached to the concrete light pole due to ongoing road construction on Washington St. I also observed two tire marks on a curb stone located next the westbound lane of Washington St. These tire marks were in front of the residence of 74 Eddy St and were to the immediate left of a storm drain. The tire marks were consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle. In between the tire marks and just after the curb there was a hole in the ground with wires sticking out of it. This hole appears to be the location the concrete light pole was located prior to impact. Tire marks were located on Washington St traveling from the east bound lane easterly across the westbound lane and ending at the tire marks on the curb. The total length of the tire marks was approximately 190 feet. After conducting an on scene investigation it appears that Vehicle 1 from the start of the tire mark in eastbound travel lane of Washington St traveled 190 feet in the easterly direct across the westbound lane of Washington St and impacted the curb in front of 74 Eddy St. The tire marks had lateral striations almost the entire length indicating that the front tires were rolling and sliding with little to no braking prior to impact with the curb. After impact with the curb Vehicle 1 exited the roadway, struck a concrete light pole. Vehicle 1 then traveled over a sidewalk, across the yard of 74 Eddy St and into the driveway of 74 Eddy St. Located in the driveway of 74 Eddy St were Vehicle 2 and Vehicle 3. Vehicle 2 was parked facing toward the rear of 74 Eddy St. Vehicle 3 located to the passenger side of Vehicle 2 and was parked facing towards Washington St. When Vehicle 1 entered the driveway it struck Vehicle 2. The force of the impact of Vehicle 1 striking Vehicle 2 caused Vehicle 2 to strike Vehicle 3. The force of the impact of Vehicle 2 striking Vehicle 3 caused Vehicle 3 to strike the southeast corner of the dwelling located at 74 Elliot St. Vehicle 1 continued across the drive way and struck a white fence before coming to final rest. Vehicle traveled a approximately 55 feet from when it initially struck to the curb till final rest. No other injuries were reported on scene. All involved vehicles were towed from the scene by Tody's Towing. After the investigation the operator of Vehicle 1 Kyle Butler was issued Citations T2015882 and T2015883 for: Mgl 90/24/O Recklass Operation of a Motor Vehicle Mgl 89/4B/A Failure to Operate in the Right Lane Mgl 90/20 Failure to Submit a Motor Vehicle for Inspection Mgl 90/7 Defective Equipment (worn front tire treads) Mgl 90/13A Failure to wear a seatbelt An immediate threat form was also filed with the MA RMV. Please see incident report #200440 regarding charges.

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 Thursday, December 16, 2021, while assigned to Traffic unit N525, I responded to the area of Crafts Street and Linwood Avenue, Newton for a report of a single car motor vehicle crash with entrapment. The weather at the time of the crash was cloudy. The road surface at the time of the crash was wet. Crafts Street and Linwood Avenue are both public ways in the City of Newton. On my arrival, I observed a 2007 Toyota Rav 4 (MA: 7565LR), facing North in the Northbound lane of Crafts Street past the Linwood Street intersection. The vehicle had extensive damage to it's passenger side and was resting on it's drivers side. The lone occupant, Mr. Frank Distefano (S00385929), was trapped in the drive seat of the vehicle and was unable to exit due to his legs being pinned under the steering wheel/dash area. First Responders were able to rescue a pug dog from the vehicle and care for it until a family member responded to take custody of it. The dog did not appear to be injured. Newton Fire responded and had to use stabilizing equipment to support the vehicle during their rescue efforts to make sure the vehicle did not roll over onto it's roof. Newton Fire used specialized extrication tools to remove the roof of the vehicle to gain access to Mr. Distefano. Mr. Distefano was removed from the vehicle by Newton Fire and Medics and transported to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston for his injuries. Tody's towing removed the vehicle from the roadway. While Newton Fire was attempting to removed Mr. Distefano from the vehicle, I spoke with a witness to the crash. Mr. John Devalpine (S65213095). Mr. Devalpine stated he was operating his vehicle behind Mr. Distefano on Crafts Street (N). Mr. Devalpine stated he observed Mr. Distefano's vehicle stopped at the light on Crafts Street (N) at Linwood Avenue. Mr. Devalpine stated he then observed Mr. Distefano's vehicle accelerate from it's stopped position and drive across the intersection towards the right side of the roadway. Mr. Devalpine stated the vehicle then crashed into a City of Newton electrical box on the sidewalk. The collision caused the vehicle to turn over and land on it's driver side. I responded to Brigham and Woman's Hospital and spoke with Mr. Distefano in the Emergency Department. His wife, Clara, was present at this time. Mr. Distefano stated he was operating his vehicle and the next thing he knew his airbags deployed and he was trapped inside his vehicle. Mr. Distefano could not recall any other information about the crash. As a result of this crash, Mr. Distefano was cited with Massachusetts Uniform Citation 230024AB for Newton City Ordinance Chapter 19, Section 75 (Fail To Use Care). Due to Mr. Distefano not being able to recall the events that led to his crash, and his recent driver history, I completed and submitted an Immediate Threat with the Registry of Motor Vehicles for Mr. Distefano. This request was emailed to the Registry (DCUImmediateThreat@massmall.state.ma.us). Photos were taken of the crash and submitted to the IT Bureau.

Operator of Vehicle 1 states he was travelling Northbound on Ferncroft Rd when the operator became briefly distracted by his phone. Vehicle 1 then struck the curb and a tree on the West side of the road in front of #64 Ferncroft Rd, causing extensive damage to the front of the vehicle and airbag deployment. The operator denied any injuries and declined medical treatment. Vehicle 1 was towed from the scene by Tody's Towing. Newton Fire responded to clean up engine fluids that had leaked on the roadway. The witness who initially reported the crash to 911 stated that she observed the operator of Vehicle 1 pass her location at a higher than reasonable rate of speed and was looking down at his phone. I then issued the operator Mass. Uniform Citation #T1448099 (Written Warning) in hand to the operator's mother as his agent for a violation of C90ss13B Texting While Driving