On Saturday, February 4, 2023, at approximately 1:30PM, a
Transit Police officer was on patrol at the MBTA Alewife Station in Cambridge.
The officer had his attention drawn to the fifth (5th) floor of the
parking garage after hearing a loud audible crash. The officer immediately
proceeded in that direction. Upon arrival, he observed that a white Honda Civic
had crashed through the concrete barrier wall and was partially hanging off the
roof on the east side of the garage directly above the main mezzanine of the
station.
As the officer approached the vehicle, he observed a 29 year
old male, determined to be from Medford, lying on the ground next to the
driver’s side open door. The male was conscious but not alert. Shortly
thereafter, the driver ceased breathing. The officer immediately began life
saving measures with positive results. Upon arrival of EMTs, care of the driver
was transferred to them. The injured male was transported to a local hospital
for emergency care. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.
Based on statements made by the driver to the responding
officer, interviews conducted with the driver’s immediate family member as well
as the follow-up investigation conducted by Transit Police detectives, we
believe the driver’s actions were intentional and he was seeking to harm
himself.
After conferring with the Middlesex District Attorney’s
Office, we establish the following; Whereas the male driver operated his
vehicle in a reckless and negligent manner, we seek the criminal charge of
Operating to Endanger in violation of M.G.L., and whereas the male driver’s
reckless and negligent actions caused numerous pedestrians/commuters to be
struck with significant debris causing injury to one. We seek eight (8) counts
of the criminal charge Assault & Battery Dangerous Weapon to Wit: Glass,
Steel, Concrete.
Furthermore, the Transit Police Department has filed an
Immediate Threat application with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
to revoke the operator’s license to operate.
This investigation is ongoing.
media inquiries should be directed to Superintendent Richard Sullivan at rsullivan@mbta.com the events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
