The following is a brief summary of the incident/arrest. It does not contain every minute detail of the incident/arrest. On Jan. 16, 2017, at @ 1;50, I was operating SPD Traffic Unit Tango 2, a subdued traffic cruiser, while in full uniform, when I received a call from Somerville Control to respond to the area of 163 Washington St. for a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a flatbed tow truck. Upon my arrival, I observed a green, 2003, Toyota Tundra (extensive front end and undercarriage damage), which is owned by XXXXX that had rear ended a white, 2015, Toyota Highlander (very minor rear bumper damage) , which is owned by YYYYY. The cause of this accident was set in motion by the defendant, Javier Rivera-Vasquez of 103 Leyden St #2, E.Boston, Ma. Car E-3 Off. Marra and Car E-2 Off. Isaacs had responded to the scene of the accident prior to my arrival.

 

Once I arrived on scene, I observed the defendant and Off. Marra stated the following to me: The defendant was operating a tow truck (that was not present on scene) and was towing the Toyota Tundra at the rear of the flatbed tow truck by 1 strap attached to the driver’s side front suspension system (it was not secure by any additional straps or safety chains). As the tow truck was traveling northerly on Washington St, the driver’s side tires struck the Island curbing (the operator had failed to stay within the marked lanes). The striking of the curbing caused the Toyota Tundra to become dislodged from the rear of the flatbed tow truck and veer off to the left, onto Washington St., against the normal flow of traffic (southerly direction). The flatbed tow truck continued to bear off to the right and continued driving northerly on Washington St. The defendant parked the flatbed tow truck on New Washington St. and arrived back at the scene of the accident on foot. Initially, Off. Marra had called in the accident as the tow truck operator had fled the scene. As the Toyota Tundra continued moving in a northerly direction on the southerly side (wrong side) of Washington St, it struck a City of Somerville tree and a City of Somerville double parking meter (#14138 – #3 & #4), thereby completely destroying both items belonging to the City of Somerville. These items were located in front of The Liquor Zone ( a package store) located at #163 Washington St. Once the Toyota Tundra struck the double parking meter, it’s forward momentum stopped and the vehicle started to roll backwards. As a result of rolling backwards, the Toyota Tundra subsequently struck a white, 2015, Toyota Highlander ( causing very minor damage to the rear bumper), which is owned by ZZZZZ. This Toyota was located in front of #169 Washington St.

 

Offs. Marra and Isaacs were met by the defendant, Mr. Rivera-Vasquez prior to my arrival. The defendant had stated to both Officers that he was operating the flatbed tow truck that started the incident. He was asked where the flatbed tow truck was and he told the Officers that it was located on New Washington St (he wasn’t familiar with the area). I arrived on Washington St. and began to speak with the defendant. I asked him if he was operating the flatbed tow truck that was towing the Toyota Tundra. He stated that he was operating the flatbed tow truck. I asked him for the registration and his license. He could not produce either document. I asked him several times for the documents. He stated several times that he called his brother, who was going to retrieve his license and the registration, and bring it to the scene. After several minutes and attempts at producing the documents, I had Off. Marra transport the defendant back to New Washington St. where the flatbed tow truck was located. Pat’s towing had arrived on scene and towed the Toyota Tundra away. I left the scene and proceeded to New Washington St. and met with Offs. Marra, Isaacs and the defendant. 

 

While on New Washington St. Off. Isaacs informed me that he had ascertained the defendant’s Social Security number and ran a query check on it thru the RMV. Off. Isaacs informed me that the defendant’s right to operate a motor vehicle in the Comm. of Mass. was currently REVOKED. I ran a query check on the defendant’s Social Security number and received the following response from the RMV: Status: REV/RRV/NRE. Translated, this means that the defendant’s license status in the Comm. of Mass was Revoked and Non-Renewable. I also ran a query check on the Mass Reg, which was attached to the white, 1995, International 4700, flatbed tow truck that the defendant was operating at the time of the initial accident. I received the following response from the RMV: Status: EXPIRED. Translated, this means that the flatbed tow truck’s registration was expired at the time of operation. The owner of said tow truck is listed as Nunez Towing Inc of 580 Chelsea St. Suite #213, Boston, Ma. 02128. I also ran a query check on the flatbed tow truck’s VIN and received the following response from the RMV: Status: NO STATUS FOUND ON RECORD. Translated, this means that the flatbed is not currently insured. The owner is listed as AAAAA. I will be citing both of the above stated individuals with Massachusetts Uniform Citations for the above stated violations. Based upon this information and circumstances, I placed the defendant under arrest for the above stated offenses and he was transported to the Station, via Wagon #200, by Off. Hartsgrove. He was booked and advised of his rights by Lt. DiGregorio. The defendant was subsequently transported to the Hospital to be medically evaluated for a possible right hand injury sustained at some point in this incident.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Off. James McNally #80

Somerville P.D.

Traffic Unit – Tango 2