crash_reports

On 06/08/2019 at 0150 hours I received a call from Sgt Lee in regard to a head on motor vehicle crash with entrapment that had occurred on Center St at the four way intersection with Cabot St and Sergeant St. Upon my arrival at the crash scene I was advised by Sgt Lee that all occupants of the involved vehicles had been transported to hospitals for treatment. I made the following observations of the crash scene , Center St is a two lane public way in the city of Newton that runs north to south. I observed a city of Newton contracted Cataldo ambulance stopped in the south bound lane of Center St at Cabot St. The ambulance was MA AMN registration AMB 370 a 2017 Ford Econo Line that had heavy damage to the front end and driver's side fender. I observed that the front tire of the ambulance was snapped off and was pushed back towards the driver's side door. I further observed that both of the front and side air bags of the ambulance were deployed. The front of the ambulance's final point of rest was 8'8" from a fixed overhead light pole on the northeast corner of Center St at Cabot St. The ambulance's front passenger side tire was 4'3" front the curb on the Cabot St side. The ambulance's rear passenger side tire was 2'3" from the Cabot St side curb. The ambulance's rear driver side tire was 5'1" from the double yellow line on Center St. The ambulance's front driver side tire was 6'3"from the Center St double yellow line. The width of Center St from the double yellow line to the Center St curb is 15'' and 16'" to the Sergeant St side. I observed a 2011 Mazda 3 with MA PAN registration 6KJ783 facing south bound in the north bound lane. The Mazda had heavy damage to it's front end, and I observed that it's front tires had snapped off. The Mazda's roof had been removed by Newton Fire to extract the occupant. The front of the Mazda's final point of rest was 40'3" from a fixed overhead light pole on the northeast corner of Center St and Sergeant St. The Mazda's front passenger tire was 4'6" from the double yellow line on Center St. The Mazda's rear passenger side tire was 7'6" from the Center St double yellow line. The Mazda's rear passenger side tire was 1'2" from the Center St double yellow line. The Mazda's front driver's side tire was on the curb on the Sergeant St side of Center St. There were no skid marks from the Mazda which indicates that no braking occurred. At the time of the crash, the Cataldo Ambulance was being operated by Paramedic Corey Bohan and Paramedic Tom White was in the front passenger seat. Bohan stated that he was operating his vehicle southbound on Center St towards Cabot St after clearing a medical call. There were no patients in the ambulance at the time of the crash, and Bohan estimated he was travelling 25 MPH . Bohan stated within less than two seconds he observed a vehicle traveling towards him northbound on Center St in the southbound lane and estimated it's speed to be approximately 80 to 100 MPH.Bohan stated he was able to slow to a near stop and had moved his vehicle towards the right shoulder on Center St before the Mazda struck his vehicle head on. Bohan stated that after forcing his way out of the driver's seat of his vehicle, he rendered medical aid to the operator and only occupant of the Mazda, Jessica Pondish. Bohan stated that Pondish speech was slurred and he detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath and person. Bohan was later transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital for evaluation. The passenger in the ambulance, Tom White stated to officers that he was working on the ambulance's laptop computer and did not see anything leading up to the impact from the crash. White stated that he was able to force himself free of the passenger side of the ambulance, and rendered medical aid to Pondish. White stated that Pondish was " in and out of it " and did not appear coherent.White stated that he asked Pondish if she had consumed any alcoholic beverage and she nodded in the affirmative. White Stated that he was unsure if Pondish understood his questions. White stated that he did not detect any odor of an alcohol beverage emanating from Pondish's breath or person. White was transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital for evaluation. Pondish was freed from her vehicle after approximately 22 minutes by Newton Fire Department units by utilizing special extraction tools. Pondish was transported by Newton Medic Unit Two to the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston for treatment. From 06/08/2019 to 06/10/2019 Pondish had two surgeries and was unable to speak due to her condition. On 06/10/2019 myself and Officer Gaudet were able to speak with Pondish in her hospital ICU room at the Brigham and Women's Hospital. Pondish's parents Lorena and John Pondish were present while we spoke with her. Officer Gaudet asked Pondish about the events that led up to the crash. Pondish stated that on 06/07/2019 she was at a friend's residence in Norton, MA. Pondish stated that while at her friend's residence she consumed a bottle and a half of Riesling wine. After Pondish's admission myself and Officer Gaudet stopped our conversation with her. I read Pondish her rights directly from a Miranda card and explained them in full before allowing her to continue speaking with myself and Officer Gaudet about the events of that led to the crash. Pondish stated that she understood her rights. Officer Gaudet asked Pondish if she had consumed any alcoholic beverages prior to driving home to her residence in Newton. Pondish stated that she drank a bottle and a half of Riesling wine by herself between the hours of 1700 and 0000 hours on 06/08/2019. Officer Gaudet asked Pondish how large the bottles of wine was that she drank, and she stated that they were average size. Officer Gaudet asked Pondish how she perceived her state of being was after consuming a bottle and a half of wine. Pondish stated that she felt " buzzed " . Pondish stated that she left her friend's residence in Norton at approximately 0100 hours on 06/08/2019 to return to her residence in Newton. Pondish stated that she does recall the events leading up to the crash, except that she tried to make a phone call but the person did not pick up. Pondish stated that her seat belt was on and that she was not texting while operating her vehicle. Pondish stated that her injuries consisted of a broken left elbow and internal injures to her intestines. On 06/09/2019 I spoke to Cataldo Paramedic Robert Canning and Stephen Heirholcer who were the medic unit that transported Pondish to the Brigham and Women's Hospital. Canning stated that he rendered medical aid to Pondish for approximately 20 minutes while Fire units worked to free her. Canning stated that Pondish's legs were pinned under her vehicle's dashboard. Canning stated that during the approximately 20 minutes that he was in close proximity to Pondish he could detect a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage that was emanating from her breath and person. Canning stated that once Pondish was freed he continued to treat and monitor her during the transport to the Brigham and Women's Hospital. Canning stated that when he asked Pondish if she had consumed any alcoholic beverage she stated that she had. Paramedic Heirholcer stated that he did not detect any odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Pondish's breath or person. Based upon the physical evidence at the crash scene, and statements made to officers by all of the above mentioned persons, Pondish is being charged with violation of MGLs 90/24j OUI liquor, 90/24e negligent operation of a motor vehicle, 89/4a failure to stay within marks lanes, and 90/17 speeding. On 06/12/2019 at the conclusion of the crash investigation I issued MA Criminal Application T 1269996 in hand to Pondish at her hospital room and explained to her what action she needed to take with court. On 06/11/2019 a letter of preservation was sent to Brigham and Women's Hospital requesting that a sample of Pondish's blood, urine and medical records be saved. On 06/12/2019 Brigham and Women's Hospital confirmed that a sample of Pondish's blood had been preserved. As of 06/12/2019 a search warrant for Pondish's blood sample was pending. Photos of the involved vehicles and of the crash scene were taken and downloaded by the NPD's IT Bureau. Both involved vehicles were towed from the crash scene and towed motor vehicle forms were filled out. An Iphone and backpack belonging to Pondish were taken from her vehicle for safekeeping and returned to her on 06/11/2019. A copy of this report was faxed to the MA RMV Driver Control Unit to request an immediate threat suspension.

MV1 (MA Reg: 1LMD95; Honda Accord 2019) was traveling west on California St when it came to rest on the shoulder of the road. MV2, (MA Reg: 5YR125; Honda CRV 2019) helped MV1 come to a stop because it was parked. Minor damage to MV1 front driver bumper and MV2 scratch on the rear bumper. MV2 owner, Lourdes Meira, exited her residence at 313 California St to witness MV1 pressed against her vehicle. Meira called 911 because she observed the driver of MV1 unconscious or asleep. Fire arrived on scene and gave two doses of Narcan to MV1 operator, Keith Harrington. Harrington gained consciousness and medics transported to NWH. Harrington admitted to injecting heroin today prior to this incident. Harrington to be summons for 90/24G-OUI Drugs, 2nd offense and 90/24E-Negligent Operation (MA Uniform Citation:T2079021). Citation given in hand at NWH by Ofc. Guarinio. Tody's towed MV1, towed motor vehicle form filled out. Used syringe from MV1 center console safely disposed of in N492. Small silver container with white substance confiscated from center console beside used needle. Container was filed into property and evidence to be tested. An immediate threat was filed and faxed to RMV.

The operator of MV#1 stated that he was traveling north on Cherry St when he struck the fire hydrant in front of #35 Cherry St. Upon further questioning, the operator Johnathon Benson stated that he has been diagnosed with a medical condition that sometimes affects his coordination. I asked if he should be driving due to his medical condition and he stated his doctor has suggested he not drive. I then asked if he thought it was his medical condition or another factor which caused the crash. Mr. Benson stated he believes his medical condition is likely what caused the crash. When Mr. Benson exited his MV I noticed a large wet spot on both the front and rear of his pants around the groin/buttocks area. I then asked Mr. Benson if he has had siezures in the past, to which he stated he has. I then asked Mr. Benson if its possible that he may have had a seizure while driving today and he stated it was. Mr. Benson did not sustain any injuries, his MV was towed by Tody's and the Newton Fire Dept. was notified. At this time due to the information Mr. Benson provided and my concern about his/others safety while he operates a MV, I am filing an Immediate Threat with the RMV. On 3/8/21 I mailed citation #T2080897 to Johnathon Benson for operating Tx. Reg. HVY7642, which was unregistered at the time of the crash.

MV1 was driving EASTbound on Otis St when the operator, Philip Dare, drove into a fence belonging to 242 Otis Street. Operator showed signed of impairment and was arrested for OUI Liquor, Marked Lanes, and Negligent Operation. MV1 was towed by Tody's. MV1 sustained heavy front end and undercarriage damage. No injuries were reported by Dare. Medics and Fire arrived at the scene and Fire made the scene safe with yellow caution tape and cleared debris. Pictures taken of the damage, refer to NPD Incident #21022013.

On 3/25/2022 at approx 1338Hrs while assigned to 497 I responded to the area of Commonwealth Av and Auburn St near 1900 Commonwealth Av for a report of a two car crash with possible injuries and entrapment. Upon arrival I observed Ma Reg 6NB244 , a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee disabled in the westbound lane of Commonwealth Ave with heavy front and passenger side damage as well as crash debris strewn over Commonwealth Ave W/B lane. Ma Reg 4506EO a 2014 Toyt Corolla was at rest against a utility pole on the west side island of Commonwealth Ave with significant front end damage , There was a Fire Call box that she had struck and was shorn off and dragged laying to the right of the passenger side of the Corolla. Both vehicles had airbag deployment. The operator of the Jeep , Robert Garafalo was standing on the grassy WB island. The operator of the Corolla , Therese Brigham was prone across both front seats, Therese was able to provide her name but did not know where she was , where she was heading or that a crash had occurred. Therese had a hospital visitor sticker affixed to her jacket dated with todays date, when I asked Therese why she had been at the hospital she appeared confused and could not answer. It also appeared that Therese had wet her pants. Robert stated he was travelling w/b on Auburn St, proceeded through the green light and "out of nowhere" was struck by Therese. It appeared by both damage and debris that Robert was already over halfway through the intersection when his vehicle was struck with such force his car was spun around 180 degrees by Therese who than continued up onto the grassy island striking and shearing off the Fire Call box than driving into a utility pole. Therese was transported to The Beth Israel by medic 2 with suspicion of a seizure. Thereses' pocketbook was left behind by medics, inventoried and TOT to Officer Manouk in property and evidence for retrieval (see report #22010641). Request for Medical Evaluation Form faxed to Mass RMV Medical Affairs Bureau 857-368-0018.