Police and Fire News

Falmouth crash; Driver charged in inmate death; Falmouth firefighters busy; Car crashes into Sandwich gym; Chatham cruiser crash; Barnstable Police Kids Day; Yarmouth security plan for school committee meeting

Three injured in Falmouth crash

    ^{Three people were injured after a crash where this Saturn was broadsided by another vehicle.}
FALMOUTH - Just before 5:30 p.m. Friday, Falmouth Fire Rescue responded to Maravista Avenue at Cedar Street for a two-vehicle crash where a Saturn Sedan traveling on Maravista was struck on the driver's side by a Chrysler sedan. The driver of the Saturn, 94-year-old George Wing of East Falmouth, and his female passenger along with the driver of the Chrysler, 83-year-old Katherine Elios of Florida, were all transported to Falmouth Hospital. Wing was later transferred to a Boston hospital with serious injuries. The crash is under investigation by the Falmouth Police Department.
Story and photos by Eric Tinglof.

Driver charged in inmate death
MASHPEE - The driver, who reportedly admitted falling asleep at the wheel before crashing into prison inmates on a work cleanup detail on Route 28 July 10th, is facing charges. Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe says 21-year-old Daniel Price of Marstons Mills will be charged with motor vehicle homicide, operating negligently to endanger and failing to stay in marked lanes. 30-year-old Emanuel Moniz of New Bedford was killed and a second inmate, 32-year-old Mark Joiner of South Yarmouth, was seriously injured.

Falmouth firefighters kept busy early Friday afternoon
FALMOUTH -Falmouth Fire Rescue and Police were kept quite busy during a short period of time Friday afternoon from around noon until 2:30 p.m.

The first incident was a fire in an Osprey nest on a power pole on Bayside Drive in West Falmouth.  Fire units and NSTAR waited for the Falmouth Department of Natural Resources to determine whether or not there were any adult or young Osprey present before removing the nest to extinguish the fire.

Fire Rescue was then called to 31 Charles Lane in West Falmouth for a car fire. Although the driver and passenger were able to exit the vehicle they apparently attempted to extinguish the fire themselves before calling 911.  When units arrived a VW Jetta sedan was fully involved and the fire had extended to a Chevy sedan parked in the next spot. The Jetta's interior was totally destroyed and considerable damage was done to the Chevy. The driver of the VW sustained minor burns to his hand while attempting to put out the fire. The burns did not require transport to the hospital after first aid by Falmouth Fire Rescue on the scene.

Shortly thereafter, some of the same Fire Rescue units were called to a motor vehicle crash on Route 28 at 70 Davis Straits Road.  A Toyota Celica traveling on Route 28 struck a GMC utility truck turning out of the parking lot at McMenamy's Restaurant.  Although a crash of this type during this time of the year could cause a significant traffic issue, police and fire units successfully kept traffic moving along this busy road. The injuries to the driver of the Toyota did not require transport to the hospital and the driver of the truck was uninjured.

As that scene was being cleared, Fire Rescue was called back to the pole with the Osprey nest fire as the pole itself had rekindled.  That was quickly dealt with by NSTAR and Falmouth Fire.
Story and photos by Eric Tinglof.

Car fire scorches Osterville home
OSTERVILLE - Centerville, Osterville & Marstons Mills Fire (COMM) was called to 6 Lewis Road around 10:15 a.m. where they discovered a car next to the house fully involved. Firefighters were able to knock down the flames with only minor scorching to the side of the house. No one was injured.
Story by Frank Paparo.

Sandwich car crashes into building
SANDWICH - The customers and staff at a Sandwich gym escaped injury Friday morning when a car came crashing  into the front of their building.

69-year-old Anne Pearson of Sandwich apparently lost control of her car around 9 a.m. and crashed through the plate glass at Curves on Route 130 in Sandwich.

Neither Pearson nor anyone inside the building was injured.

Sandwich Police are investigating the crash. There was no immediate word if any charges would be filed.

Chatham police cruiser involved in crash
CHATHAM - On Thursday evening at 9:58 p.m. Chatham Police Officer William S. Little was involved in a motor vehicle crash while on duty. Police say the crash occurred on Route 137 just south of the intersection of Old Queen Anne Road and the Harwich Town line.  Officer Little was in a marked Ford Crown Victoria cruiser and was responding to a call in Harwich. While responding to the call, Officer Little was involved in a crash with another vehicle. The other vehicle involved, a Mazda CX-7, was operated by 41-year-old Bonnie D. Bruno of Nashua, NH.

Both Officer Little and Ms. Bruno were transported to Cape Cod Hospital. Officer Little suffered minor injuries and was treated and released. Officer Little is a 5-year veteran of the Chatham Police Department.

The crash is being investigated by the Cape Cod Regional Law Enforcement Crash Reconstruction Team.

Barnstable Police hosting Kids Day on Saturday
BARNSTABLE -The 11th Annual Kids Day will be held Saturday July 26th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Barnstable High School in Hyannis. This year the first 1,000 kids will receive a FREE Kids Day gift. Other goodies include water bottles, frisbees, and tattoos. Come and enjoy FREE hot dogs, ice cream and soda--all compliments of local businesses.

This year's event will once again have K-9, SWAT, and helicopter demonstrations. Hyannis Fire Department will also be conducting a "Jaws of Life" demonstration.  The COMM Fire Department will also be cooling things off with SUDS at the end of the day, so don't forget your bathing suit for this event.

For more information visit the Barnstable Police website.

Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District meeting security plans outlined
YARMOUTH - Plans are in effect for the upcoming Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District Meeting being held on Monday, July 28, 2008 starting at 7:00 PM on the football field at Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School.

Members of the Yarmouth Police and Fire Department will be present and responsible for the safety and security of the meeting and everyone who attends.

Only registered voters of the Towns of Yarmouth or Dennis will be allowed to participate. Meeting registration will begin at 5:00 PM at the football field and will continue until the meeting is concluded.

A large crowd is expected and early registration is encouraged to avoid delays.

Transportation Plan:

Shuttle buses will continually provide transportation to and from the meeting from the following locations:

• E. H. Baker School - 4 buses
• N. H. Wixon School - 4 buses
• Station Avenue Elementary School - 2 buses
• Mattacheese Middle School - 4 buses
• Yarmouth Town Hall/St. Pius the Tenth Church parking lot - 2 buses
• Handicapped and Limited parking is available at D-Y High School

Each bus will be well marked with its parking lot destination to return residents to their vehicles.

Limited parking will be available at the following locations:

• Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School
• Station Avenue Elementary School
• Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District Administration Building

Everyone is reminded that Massachusetts State Laws prohibit any use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco on school property. The safety and comfort of everyone attending this important meeting is paramount and everyone is urged to be patient and considerate of others. Police Officers will be present to assist in motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic control. Anyone who may need any assistance or information is asked to visit the Yarmouth Police Department Mobile Police Station which will be on site at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School.