Home About Archives RSS Feed

Superior Court Briefs: June 22

Staff Reports
Cases heard before Judge Maureen Hogan on Tuesday, June 13.
 
Heidi Bliss, 37, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to a single count of accessory after the fact to wit: armed robbery while masked.
 
The case was continued without a finding for 18 months. The charge was related to a robbery in Pittsfield on January 24, 2016. A single count of misleading a police officer was dismissed by the state.
 
Max Bohan, 26, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to single counts of distribution of heroin and possession of heroin with intent to distribute in connection with an incident in Pittsfield on September 28, 2015. He pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws in connection with another incident on March 10, 2016. And he pleaded guilty to single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended licensed from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on September 26, 2016.
 
He was ordered to serve three and a half to five years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction on single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to violate drug laws. He was placed on one-year probation on the single counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. He was given 131 days on the remainder.
     

Great Barrington Fire Uses New UTV to Reach Injured Hiker

Community Submission

The department demonstrates how an injured person can be transported with the new UTV. 
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Fire Department used its newly purchased utility task vehicle (UTV) this week to rescue an injured hiker.
 
Around 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, the Fire and Police departments, along with Southern Berkshire Ambulance, responded to Monument Mountain Reservation for a report of a 23-year-old woman with a broken ankle.
 
First responders were able to use GPS to track her location, which they determined to be a few thousand feet off Indian Mountain Trail, or about a mile-and-a-half into the woods, according to Fire Chief Charles Burger.
 
Using the Fire Department's new UTV, firefighters trained in technical rescue reached the woman within 15 minutes.
 
Medics assessed and stabilized her injury before she was loaded into the UTV and taken to the parking lot. Southern Berkshire Ambulance then transported her to an area hospital in stable condition.
 
In total, 30 rescue personnel responded to the scene, including the Sheffield Fire Department, which stood by with additional all-terrain vehicles. All units were clear from the scene shortly after 10 p.m.
 
"We were prepared for this situation to go a number of ways, but thankfully it was resolved quickly and successfully," Burger said. "Typically, rescues on the mountain take three or more hours and involve a lot of hiking and rigging of rope rescue systems. Also, given the time of night that this incident occurred, darkness would have greatly complicated matters if it weren't for the UTV."
 
The Great Barrington Firefighters Association recently purchased the rescue UTV, which has proven to be an asset to the department in its efforts to quickly and safely transport injured people. Wednesday night's incident is the second time this year the UTV was used on a search and rescue incident. 
 
After identifying the serious need for the equipment, the association raised $21,000 to make the purchase at no cost to Great Barrington's taxpayers. It is fully outfitted with skid plates, a roll cage, scene lighting and a rescue body for carrying a patient and equipment. Previously, in a situation like Wednesday night, firefighters would have needed to hike in the whole way and carry the patient out. 
 
"The UTV enables us to operate a lot more safely and efficiently," Burger said. "I would like to thank those who supported our fundraising efforts, along with Lt. AJ Anderson and firefighter Chris Laramee, who put in most of the work for the design and purchase of the unit."
     

Mount Greylock Student Injured in Motor Vehicle Accident

Staff Reports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — One occupant of a car involved in a single-car accident on Hopper Road was airlifted to a regional hospital on Thursday afternoon.
 
The injured party was a student at Mount Greylock Regional School, and school officials are doing their best to notify members of the school community, Mount Greylock's interim superintendent said on Thursday night.
 
"We are aware students and families are anxious and are working as a school community to make sure we have students supported as they enter school tomorrow," Kimberley Grady said.
 
"[Principal Mary [MacDonald] has reached out to families, staff and coaches so that we have everyone ready to help students tomorrow."
 
Grady said another student involved in the accident was treated and released from Berkshire Medical Center.
 
She was not at liberty to reveal the names or ages of the students involved.
 
Williamstown Police on Thursday night referred questions to the state police, who responded to the scene, and the district attorney's office.
     

Head-On Collision North Adams Leaves One in Critical Condition

Staff Reports

A GoFundMe has been set up for Kaileigh Lewis, the young mother who was a passenger in the Honda and who is in critical condition at BMC.
Update, 3:19 p.m., June 17: The driver of the Dodge Durango involved in Friday's head-on collision is expected to face "numerous motor vehicle charges," according to police. 
 
Robert Matte Jr., 43, of North Adams, has been identified as the owner and driver of the northbound Durango that apparently veered into the opposite lane and hit a Honda CRV with five people in it, including two very young children.
 
Kaileigh Lewis, 23, of North Adams, a passenger in the back seat of the Honda, was severely injured in the crash. Also injured was Diane Pearson, 49, the Honda's driver, who was visiting from Texas to see her new grandchild, 4-day-old Aleksei Davila, who was in the back seat. 
 
Also in the Honda was Marcos Davila Rodriguez, the car's owner, in the front passenger seat, and 2-year-old Inali Davis, also in the back. 
 
Both children were in secure car seats but Lewis, who was sitting between them, was not wearing a seat belt, according to Sgt. James Burdick. 
 
"Everybody was transported to various hospitals," he said on Saturday. "Some when to BMC North and some went to BMC Pittsfield and some went to Bay State Medical Center in Springfield. ... Ms. Pearson was pretty severely injured and Ms. Lewis was severely injured."
 
The 2-year-old was taken as a precaution to Bay State because of striations, or bruising, caused by the seat belts, he said. However, he added, "that's because they had the child properly seat belted and locked in a child safety seat, which is excellent."
 
Both the driver and the passenger in the Honda had seat belts on; Lewis and Matte did not.
 
"That's why we advocate all of the time for seat belts and car seats," Burdick said. 
 
He said the accident is still under investigation and that "Matte will be facing numerous motor vehicle charges."
 
"We are still waiting on accident reconstruction to finish with their investigation and we will put the charges together at that time and he will be charged accordingly," the sergeant said.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A head-on collision on south Church Street on Friday afternoon left several people injured, one in critical condition.

 
The collision between two sport utility vehicles occurred just about 2 p.m. by the Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink. 
 
Police Lt. Jason Wood said a northbound Dodge Durango veered into the opposite lane and hit a Honda CRV that was heading south.
 
Wood said at this point, it is unknown why the Dodge crossed the center line.
 
"For whatever reason, it left the travel lane and we are trying to figure out why that occurred," he said.
 
There were five occupants — including a young child and an infant — in the Honda. Wood believed that all five were taken to Berkshire Medical Center in North Adams or Pittsfield by North Adams Ambulance Service. Wood said one occupant of the Honda has been listed in critical condition and that the driver of the Dodge did not appear to be injured. 
 
Wood said one of the school resource officers was at Drury High School and was able to get to the accident quickly. He said he had been in contact with state police that the accident was still under investigation.
 
Two other cars southbound were also involved when one stopped because of the accident and was rear-ended by the vehicle following. Neither car appeared to sustain notable damage. The front end of the Honda, however, incurred significant damage. 
 
South Church was closed from West Shaft Road south (it was still closed just before 5 p.m., police say to expect the road to be closed until 8 p.m.) and traffic was turned around or routed over West Shaft. 
 
Both North Adams Police and Fire responded to the accident. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts campus police and Adams Police helped reroute traffic and Adams Ambulance also provided assistance.
     

Superior Court Briefs: June 12 - June 13

Staff Reports
Cases heard before Judge Maureen Hogan on Monday, June 12.
 
Laura Reilly, 42, of Easthampton had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on three counts of misleading a police officer or other person.
 
She was released on $1,500 bail. Reilly is accused of misleading State Police detectives in the investigation of the disappearance of 39-year-old Joanne Ringer. Ringer has been missing from her Clarksburg home since March 2, 2017.
 
Thomas Tobin Jr., 43, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of a large capacity firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, illegal possession of a large capacity weapon, illegal possession of a large capacity feeding device, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of a loaded firearm.
 
He was released on $1,000 bail. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on April 17, 2017.
 
Cases heard before Judge Maureen Hogan on Tuesday, June 13.
 
Duane Griffiths, 34, of Clarksburg had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on three counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, two counts of reckless endangerment of a child, two counts of assault and battery on a child with injury, and single counts of assault and battery on a child, assault and battery, and carrying a dangerous weapon.
 
He was released on $2,500 bail. The charges stem from incidents involving two children, ages 13 and 14, in Adams and Clarksburg on October 1, 2015, and February 17, 2017.
 
Jessica Lescarbeau, 34, of North Adams had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf on two counts of assault and battery on a child with injury, two counts of assault and battery, two counts of intimidation of a witness, two counts of reckless endangerment of a child, and a single counts of assault and battery on a child. 
 
She was released on personal recognizance. The charges stem from incidents involving two children, ages 13 and 14, in Adams and Clarksburg on October 1, 2015, and February 17, 2017.
 
Samuel Thomason, 21, of Lenox had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on single counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of a large capacity firearm, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, illegal possession of a large capacity weapon, illegal possession of a large capacity feeding device, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of a loaded firearm.
 
He was released on $1,000 bail. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on April 17, 2017.
     
Page 1 of 2 1  2  

Support Local News

We show up at hurricanes, budget meetings, high school games, accidents, fires and community events. We show up at celebrations and tragedies and everything in between. We show up so our readers can learn about pivotal events that affect their communities and their lives.

How important is local news to you? You can support independent, unbiased journalism and help iBerkshires grow for as a little as the cost of a cup of coffee a week.

News Headlines
Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M Budget
Scoil Rince Bréifne Ó Ruairc Participated in North American Open Championships
Pittsfield Police Participating in US 20 Speed Enforcement Project
MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC
Dalton ADA Committee Explores Expanding
Milne Public Library Trustees Announce New Library Director
Clark Art Presents Free Thematic Tour on Music in Art
BCC, Mill Town Partner to Support Philanthropy Through 40 Under Forty
SVMC' Wellness Connection: March 15
Pittsfield Community Meeting On Rest of the River Project

Police Logs

Pittsfield Police

North Adams

Crimewatch Links

North Adams CrimeWatch

Stamford/Clarksburg CrimeWatch

Pittsfield CrimeWatch

Emergency: 911
Adams 413-743-1212
Clarksburg 413-663-7795
Cheshire 413-743-1501
Dalton 413-684-0300
Great Barrington 413-528-0306
Lanesborough 413-443-4107
Lee 413-243-2100
Lenox 413-637-2346
North Adams 413-664-4944
Pittsfield 413-448-9700
Richmond 413-698-3315
Stockbridge 413-298-4179
Williamstown 413-458-5733
West Stockbridge 413-232-7938
State Police  
Cheshire Barracks
413-743-
4700
Lee Barracks 413-243-0600
Shaftsbury, Vt., Barracks 802-442-3263

 



Categories:
Adams (92)
Alford (0)
Becket (8)
Cheshire (23)
Clarksburg (41)
Dalton (6)
Egremont (2)
Florida (9)
Great Barrington (34)
Hancock (5)
Hinsdale (5)
Lanesborough (30)
Lee (14)
Lenox (11)
Monterey (0)
Mount Washington (1)
New Ashford (4)
New Marlborough (2)
North Adams (248)
Otis (2)
Peru (3)
Pittsfield (318)
Pownal (16)
Readsboro (17)
Richmond (10)
Sandisfield (5)
Savoy (6)
Sheffield (5)
Stamford (31)
State (1)
Stockbridge (6)
Tyringham (1)
Washington (1)
West Stockbridge (1)
Williamstown (79)
Windsor (3)
Archives:
Tags:
Heroin Accident Shooting Drug Charges Larceny Pedestrians Vehicle Fraud Drugs Motor Vehicle Injuries Search Veremko Police Investigation Stabbing Robbery Armed Robbery Motorcycles Buglaries Homicide Fatal Murder Assault Break-ins Crime Watch Mvi Motor Vehicle Accident Rape Hit & Run Structure Fire Assaults Missing Persons Burglary Search & Rescue Fire
Popular Entries:
Superior Court Briefs: March 14 - March 16
Fatal Accident Closes Route 8 in Adams
Superior Court Briefs: May 2 - May 6
Woman Pleads Guilty in Sandisfield Fatal Crash
Superior Court Briefs: March 28 - March 31
Pittsfield Woman Pleads Guilty in Husband's Slaying
Superior Court Briefs: May 18 - 19
Superior Court Briefs: March 8 - March 11
Superior Court Briefs: March 23 - March 24
New Ashford Crash Turns Fatal for Williamstown Man
Recent Entries:
State Police Bust $3M Illegal Pot Growing Operation in Savoy
First-Responders Searching for Lost Hiker on Mount Greylock
Pittsfield Driver Injured in Elm Street Accident
North Adams Police Investigate Possible Shooting Incident
Williamstown Police Looking into Cemetery Vandalism
Florida Woman Dies in Motorcycle Accident
Pittsfield Fire Responds to Kitchen Blaze
Juvenile Arrested in North Adams Shooting
North Adams Police Seeking Information on Shooting Incident
Pittsfield Police Seek Information on Sunday Night Shootings