FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, June 12, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: john@jgpr.net

Unlicensed Driver Cited after Crashing Motor Vehicle into Stoneham Fire Engine

STONEHAM- Fire Chief Matthew Grafton and Police Chief James McIntyre report that an unlicensed driver was cited after he crashed his motor vehicle into a fire engine yesterday.

On Sunday, June 11, at approximately 1:50 p.m., Stoneham Police responded to Pond Street for a report of a motor vehicle crash.

Upon arrival, an officer learned that a 2011 C300 Mercedes was traveling north on Pond Street when it crossed the double yellow line and struck a 2016 Seagrave Stoneham Fire engine that was responding with its emergency lights activated to a medical call on Campbell Road.

The driver of the Mercedes, a 44-year-old Wakefield man, first hit the front corner of the fire engine, then scraped alongside the side of the engine and struck it a second time near its rear wheel.

Firefighter Thomas DeCroteau, who was driving the fire engine, swerved out of the way of the car, hitting the brakes and turning the truck right to prevent a head-on collision.

The driver of the Mercedes declined medical attention on scene. No firefighters were injured in the incident.

“I want to praise Firefighter DeCroteau for his alertness and quick actions,” Chief Grafton said. “This crash could have ended up a lot worse.”

A further investigation indicated that the Wakefield man was driving with a suspended license. As a result, he will be summonsed to Woburn District Court for Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License.

Additionally, the driver was cited for Obstructing an Emergency Vehicle and a Marked Lanes Violation.

“This man put his life and the lives of others at risk by driving with a suspended license,” Chief McIntyre said. “We’re thankful that no one was hurt.”

The Mercedes sustained heavy front end damage and was towed from the scene. The fire engine, which the town purchased a year ago for $625,000, sustained approximately $30,000 in damage and will be out of service for about a month.

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