Articles Posted in Car Accidents

In Becket, Massachusetts, a Saturday morning car accident claimed the life of a Becket man. It also injured the driver, who was from East Longmeadow. The car crash occurred on Route 20 just before 3:30 am when a 1997 Ford Contour went off the road near the Becket/Chester town line, hit some boulders and a tree, and became airborne, finally landing on its roof.

Thomas A. Sacchetti Jr was trapped in the Ford Contour after the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene of the car accident. The driver, Catherine A. Rivet, was transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where she was admitted to the surgical floor.

Investigators from the Massachusetts State Police are assisting Becket Police Sergeant Marc Portieri in an investigation of the car crash. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, police said Rivet may face charges.

Becket police probe fatal Route 20 crash, MassLive.com, October 17, 2008 Continue reading

In Lawrence, Massachusetts, the city’s auto insurance task force is investigating a two-car crash that occurred in January, 2003. Nine people were charged with auto insurance fraud last week in connection with the car crash, and four of those have filed seven or more auto insurance claims, raising potential questions about the claimants’ credibility.

One of those people, Jose Cruz, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, has reportedly filed over twenty auto insurance claims in a 5.5 year period. Eight of his insurance claims involved injuries. Another, Rita Lopez, also of Lawrence, Massachusetts filed 22 auto insurance claims in a little over a decade. She claimed to have sustained injuries in six of those car accident claims.

The car insurance industry has a nickname for those who file five or more claims in a decade: “frequent flier.” Two passengers have already come forward to tell police that the 2003 auto accident was a fraud. The city of Lawrence is in the midst of a five year crackdown on auto insurance fraud. This case brings the total number of people charged to 333.

Participants’ insurance claims history raises ‘red flags’ in latest auto fraud case, The Eagle Tribune, October 12, 2008 Continue reading

In Amherst, Massachusetts, a University of Massachusetts graduate student was hit by a car on campus last night. Li Cai, 25, was transported to Bay State Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts after the pedestrian accident.

According to the university’s news office director, the impact of the car threw Cai about 20 feet. The Camry sedan was driving west on Massachusetts Avenue near the Isenberg School of Management, and it is believed that the setting sun may have cast a glare that contributed to the car accident.

Cai’s condition is unknown, and the university police are investigating the motor vehicle accident. No charges have been filed.

University of Massachusetts graduate student struck by car in campus accident, The Republican Newsroom, October 3, 2008
Graduate student hurt in crash, The Daily Collegian, October 3, 2008 Continue reading

In Peabody, Massachusetts on Monday, two drivers were seriously injured as the result of a head-on collision. A Chevy Cavalier and a Ryder rental truck collided on Lowell Street in Peabody just before noon.

Peabody police say it appeared that Suzanne Coughter of Peabody drove her compact car into the opposite lane of traffic, hitting the truck. Coughter suffered injuries to her legs and possibly chest and head. Emergency rescue personnel had to extract her from the sight of the car accident. She was airlifted to Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital.

Glenn Jalbert, also of Peabody, was driving the truck and was transported by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital. As of Monday, he was listed in fair condition, according to The Salem News.

The only witness to the car accident was a passenger riding in the truck. The accident is under investigation by the state police accident reconstruction team.

Crash sends two to hospital, The Salem News, September 16, 2008 Continue reading

According to the Cape Cod Times, a Brazilian teen living in Marstons Mills crashed his car into a tree on Race Lane on Saturday, then fled the scene.

The 1994 Mercedes was discovered by Barnstable police, but there was no driver. The car had a smashed windshield and both airbags deflated. The driver, 17-year-old Jean Ikchucki, later returned with his mother to the scene of the car crash.

Police took both people to the Barnstable police station, where they spoke with investigators though a translator. The teen initially told investigators that his mother was driving the car, but they discovered that he had been behind the wheel. Since both mother and son are living in Massachusetts illegally, neither one has a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.

Police gave Ikchucki a criminal citation for operating without a license; however, it is unlucky that he or his mother will be deported as a result of the car crash.

Teen crashes car into tree, flees scene, Cape Cod Times, September 13, 2008 Continue reading

According to police, a Massachusetts driver on Route 302 in Maine hit the guardrail on the left side of the road and came to a stop after colliding with the chain-link fence of the nearby Blake Equipment Company.

Paul Townsend was driving a gold 2006 Hyundai Elantra. The car was totaled after the accident, and all of the car’s air bags deployed upon impact. The car’s passenger, George Townsend, had to be removed from the car, because the fence prevented him from opening the car door himself. The seventy-six year old was taken to the hospital to be examined and for damage to his hand. Paul Townsend sustained minor injuries and was transported to Maine Medical Center for evaluation.

Windham Police Officer Ray Williams said the car accident was related to a medical problem and was not caused by traffic or high speeds.

Accident sends car through fence, IndependentPub.com, September 3, 2008 Continue reading