Police and Fire News

Hyannis MC crash; Vineyard moped crash; Power lines burn in Wellfleet; Yarmouth drug bust, fifth offense OUI; Harwich crash; Brewster drowning

Motorcyclist killed in Hyannis

    ^{A motorcyclist was killed after crashing into this tree which was turned into a makeshift memorial.}
HYANNIS - A motorcyclist was killed in a crash in Hyannis early Thursday. The crash happened around 1:15 a.m. at the intersection of South and Sea Streets. The victim 21-year old Christopher Sullivan of East Dennis was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Barnstable Police called for a crash reconstruction unit to investigate. Further details were not immediately available.
Photos by Frank Paparo.

Moped rider seriously injured in Oak Bluffs
OAK BLUFFS - A moped rider was seriously injured in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard around 1:20 a.m. Thursday. Reports say the moped driven by 22-year old Douglas Reid crashed into a tree on County Road. He was taken to the Vineyard Hospital and then flown to a Boston hospital.

Power lines spark brush fire
WELLFLEET - High tension power lines in Wellfleet arcing possibly after a nearby lightning strike around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday apparently sparked a brush fire off Gross Hill Road. Lights flickered across the Outer Cape and scattered outages were reported in the immediate area. NStar crews were called to repair the damage. Wellfleet Fire tells CWN the original call was for the sound of an explosion at the sub-station on Gross Hill Road. First arriving units found a small fire burning around the bases of three poles carrying the high voltage line from the sub-station. The area was secured until NStar could arrive to confirm that there was no electrical hazard. Firefighters protected one home near the fire from the spreading flames. By the time that NStar arrived, the fire had grown to about 100 feet by 100 feet. Crews extinguished the fire with help from a Truro forestry unit and a crew from the Cape Cod National Seashore who are incidentally being deployed Thursday to California to help with the fires in the Big Sur area.

NStar personnel on scene theorized that a power surge or lighting strike downstream  in Provincetown or Truro might have over-energized the line and caused arcing at one of the switches, causing a bit of molten aluminum to drop from the line, igniting the fire. Fire officials say the NStar technician found some evidence of pitting or arcing at the switch just above the origin of the fire. No slag or metal was found on the ground.

Two crashes in same spot in Hyannis
HYANNIS - Barnstable Police and Hyannis Fire were called to two crashes that occurred at the same time near the intersection of Barnstable Road and Center Street Wednesday. In the first crash, a car and SUV collided sending two people to Cape Cod Hospital. As crews were clearing that crash, two pickup trucks collided. No one was injured in second crash. Traffic was slowed until both crashes were cleared. At right: a Barnstable police officer reportedly explains to one of the pickup truck drivers why he is being cited for the crash.
Story and photo by Frank Paparo.

Electrical problem clears MSPCA building
CENTERVILLE - At 1:45 p.m. Wednesday Centerville Fire was called to investigate an electrical burning smell inside the MSPCA building on Route 28 in Centerville across from the Bell Tower Mall. Firefighters discovered that the outside electrical box was very hot. All animals were safe and personnel waited outside. The power was cut to the building and NSTAR was called to respond along with a town building inspector.
Story by Frank Paparo.

Crash injures one, slows traffic along "alley"
BREWSTER - A crash was reported on Route 6 early Wednesday afternoon near Exit 11. One person was injured in the three-vehicle crash. Traffic was delayed until the vehicles were cleared. Further details were not immediately available.

Two arrested in Yarmouth drug bust
YARMOUTH - Yarmouth and Barnstable Police executed a search warrant at a Yarmouth motel Tuesday evening. Police descended upon the Castle Dawn Motel around 9 p.m. and arrested 24-year-old Christopher Pena of West Yarmouth.  Pena was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana and conspiracy to violate controlled substance laws. Also 22-year-old Jessica Morris of South Yarmouth was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of marijuana and conspiracy to violate controlled substance laws. Police say they seized 12 grams of cocaine and 94 grams of marijuana. Both suspects were due to be arraigned Wednesday morning in Barnstable District Court.

Man arrested for fifth OUI
YARMOUTH - A local man was arrested for alleged drunk driving, his fifth OUI offense, early Wednesday. Police stopped 43-year-old Joe Condinho on Route 28 around 1 a.m.  In addition to operating under the influence, Condinho was charged with operating with a revoked license, and marked lanes violations.

Single car crash in Harwich
HARWICH - An early morning crash sent one male victim to Cape Cod Hospital with unknown injuries.

The single car crash happened at Route 39 and Tody Bole Lane Wednesday at 6:45 a.m.

Police are investigating if the driver may have fallen asleep. His vehicle hit a guard rail, clipped an NSTAR guide wire pole and ended up in the woods.

Story and photo by Jake O'Callaghan.

Apparent drowning reported in Brewster
BREWSTER - An elderly man apparently drowned in the family pool in Brewster Tuesday evening. 79-year-old James Cook was pulled from the water around 7:30 p.m. Police are investigating if Cook may have suffered a medical condition while swimming.