HOLBROOK — Chief David Del Papa reports that the Holbrook Police Department has charged a man following a serious crash on Saturday evening that resulted in a vehicle fire and significant property damage in Holbrook Square.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Holbrook Police and Fire were dispatched to the area of 16 South Franklin St. for a report of a motor vehicle crash with fire.
Upon arrival, police observed three severely damaged vehicles on the sidewalk and in the parking lot in front of a business. Two of the vehicles, an SUV and a sedan, were unoccupied and parked on the side of the road at the time of the crash. A third vehicle, a white pickup truck, was on fire with someone still trapped inside as a bystander initially tried to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher.
A responding officer, Officer Jonathan O’Brien, noticed that the fire was spreading rapidly and instructed a group of bystanders to move back for their safety. Officer O’Brien then approached the passenger side of the white pickup truck and discovered that the trapped driver was suffering from an apparent leg injury. Officer O’Brien then entered the vehicle, freed the driver and dragged him to safety just before the truck became fully engulfed in flames.
The driver of the pickup truck was identified as DOUGLAS SILVA SOARES, AGE 26, of ABINGTON.
An initial investigation determined that SOARES was driving the pickup truck north on South Franklin Street at a high rate of speed when it crossed the double yellow line and struck the parked vehicles head-on. The impact caused extensive damage and led to his pickup truck catching fire.
The Holbrook Fire Department arrived shortly after and worked to extinguish the fire, which burned for approximately 40 minutes.
Officer O’Brien was evaluated after inhaling fumes and fire extinguisher residue while assisting at the scene. SOARES was transported by ambulance to South Shore Hospital for evaluation and treatment of his injuries.
Following an on-scene investigation, SOARES was charged with:
- Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Leaving the Scene of Property Damage
- Marked Lanes Violation
- Speeding (Exceeding the Posted Limit)
Because SOARES remains hospitalized, he will be summonsed to Quincy District Court at a later date to face the charges.
The crash caused major damage to several vehicles, multiple road signs and property in front of 16 South Franklin St. The roadway was closed for an extended period while crews worked to extinguish the fire, remove debris and tow the damaged vehicles from the scene.
Support was provided at the scene by the Randolph, Abington and Braintree Police Departments.
The crash remains under investigation by the Holbrook Police Department.
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