Police and Fire News

Fatal crash in Truro; B&E suspects nabbed in Harwich; Hyannis chainsaw mishap; Reminder: bone marrow screening today

Top story: Fatal crash in Truro
Is the outer Cape section of Route 6 the new "suicide alley?"

     ^{The driver of the Escort wagon (left) was killed in a head-on collision with a Subaru wagon (far right).}
TRURO - One person was killed, two others injured in another horrific crash along Route 6 on the outer Cape.

The crash happened about 4:30 p.m. Friday on Route 6 between the Truro Transfer Station and Jack's Firewood stand.

Eyewitnesses say it appears a Subaru Legacy Outback wagon crossed over the center line and collided head-on with a Ford Escort wagon.

A Toyota Rav4 could not avoid the collision and also crashed.

The driver of the Escort, 55-year-old Edith Sweet of Truro, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Outback, 63-year-old David Gilman of Truro, had to be extricated using the Jaws of Life and was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The Rav4 driver 64-year-old Katherine Stillman of Wellfleet was not injured. A juvenile passenger in the escort was also taken to CCH. Car parts and broken glass littered the highway which was closed while reconstruction was done by the Cape Cod Regional Law Enforcement Council's Accident Reconstruction Unit.

The crash comes 10 days after another deadly wreck on Route 6 just a few miles up in Wellfleet.

The highway through the two towns is one lane both ways similar to the way the stretch between exits 9 and 12 (at one time between exits 7 and 12) used to be. That stretch was the scene of frequent head-on crashes for many years until a divider and other improvements were made.  (Story and photos by Tim Caldwell).

News briefs: Chase ends in fiery crash; Car vs guardrail; Plane springs leak
WEST BARNSTABLE - State Police arrested a driver after he reportedly refused to stop for a state trooper trying to pull him over for motor vehicle infractions. The vehicle crashed westbound just past exit 5 shortly after 1 a.m Saturday. The impact caused the vehicle to catch fire but the driver was not injured. Further details were not immediately available...YARMOUTH - One person was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with minor injuries after their vehicle struck a guardrail by exit 7 about 12:45 a.m. Saturday. State Police are investigating if rain slicked roads played a role in the crash...HYANNIS - Firefighters are called to Barnstable Municipal Airport around 6 p.m. Friday for a fuel spill. A Cessna was refueling when the aviation fuel was spotted leaking from a wing tank. About 3 gallons was lost but the firefighters used pads to absorb the fuel and mitigate any environmental impact.

Off Cape men arrested for residential breaking and entering in Harwich

HARWICH - On Friday Harwich Police say they received information that three men from Grafton, MA were en route to the Cape to burglarize an unoccupied summer residence located in Harwichport. Harwich Police were able to identify the residence and place it under surveillance by detectives.

At approximately 3:00 p.m. Friday a vehicle arrived at the residence and three men were observed to enter the residence. Harwich Police tell CWN the three men were apprehended as they attempted to steal a 57 inch television from the residence.

The men were identified as:

1) Brett Shaughnessy, age 22 from Spencer, MA (left)
2) Christopher Shaughnessy, age 34 from Warren, MA (center)
3) George Awad, age 49 from North Grafton, MA (right)

All three men were arrested and charged with Breaking and Entering in the daytime with the intent to commit a felony, Attempt to commit a crime to wit larceny as well as illegal possession of a class "D" substance (marijuana).

Brett Shaughnessy was released on personal recognizance.

Christopher Shaughnessy was held at the Barnstable County House of Correction on $2,000.00 cash bail.

George Awad was held at the Barnstable County House of Correction on $5,000.00 cash bail.

All three subjects are scheduled to be arraigned in Orleans District Court on Tuesday Morning.

Harwich Police ask any one who may have any additional information regarding this incident to contact Detective Bob Brackett at (508) 430-7541 ext. 223. (Mugshots furnished by Harwich Police).

Bone-marrow drive in Dennis Saturday
WEST DENNIS - Four-month-old Turlough Meehan, son of Dennis firefighter Phelim Meehan, has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Turlough needs a bone-marrow transplant. That's why members of the fire department are holding a bone-marrow drive at the Dennis Fire Department Headquarters on Route 28 in West Dennis today, Saturday, November 10, from noon to 4 p.m. The test requires only a cotton swab in the mouth to determine a suitable donor. The screening costs $25 but most health insurance plans cover it.

Man injured using chainsaw in Hyannis

^{Hyannis ambulance leaves Pinewood Ave residence with chainsaw mishap victim. The man's partner is seen at right getting in car to follow to hospital.   Frank Paparo.}
HYANNIS - Hyannis Firefighters and Barnstable Police were called to 29 Pinewood Avenue about 1:30 p.m. for a man who had injured his arm using a chain saw apparently to clear brush brought down by Noel the nor'easter. Rescuers quickly put the victim in the ambulance and transported him to CCH for stitches. The injury was described as serious but not life threatening.