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Lee Woman Seriously Injured in Stockbridge Road Accident
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Police say a pot-impaired teenager seriously injured a young Lee woman on Wednesday night when his car hit her on Stockbridge Road.
Police say 19-year-old Khali Zabian was northbound when her car veered off the highway and struck guardrails near Fountain Pond. She called 911 to report the accident.
But when Officers Timothy Ullrich and Elias Casey arrived, they found that Zabian had been struck by an oncoming car and had been thrown some distance from her vehicle.
A good Samaritan who had stopped to help her told police that the other vehicle "suddenly came upon them," according to the police report, and "they attempted to run to safety but the female operator was struck."
Zabian was taken by Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.
Police say the driver of the second vehicle is a 17-year-old from Great Barrington who also had a juvenile passenger with him. Ullrich charged the teen with operating under the influence causing serious bodily harm. "Police have probable cause to believe he was impaired after having used marijuana," according to the police press release, and that field sobriety tests were performed at the scene. The boy's name is being withheld because of his age.
Both vehicles sustained significant damage, Zabian's from hitting the guardrails and the boy's from hitting Zabian.
The incident is being investigated by the Police Department and state police Accident Reconstruction & Analysis, Crime Scene Services and detectives from the district attorney's office. The Fire Department, Stockbridge and Monterey officers and state troopers from the Lee barracks also assisted.
North Adams Police Investigating Feces Vandalism
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Authorities are investigating a disturbing incident that occurred early Wednesday morning at Brayton Hill Apartments.
According to Facebook posts made by friends and neighbors of the victim, someone smeared feces over her door and air conditioner and left a pile on her deck.
The victim, a single black woman with small children who is not being named, told friends that there had been a loud party in the apartment next door on Tuesday night and a racial slur could be heard repeatedly. That has lead some to believe that it could be a hate crime.
The perpetrator was reportedly caught on video by security cameras at the housing complex around 3 a.m.
Police on Thursday offered more information in that officers responded to the
The Facebook post also averred that the perpetrator was wearing clothing similar to that of one of the men at the party, but none of this information could be confirmed. Another poster, who says the gathering was at her home, denied there were any racist elements and said she was told by management that the suspect appeared hours after her guests left.
Police Lt. Anthony Beverly on Wednesday stated that police were actively investigating the incident but referred any further questions to the chief of police or the district attorney's office.
According to Facebook posts made by friends and neighbors of the victim, someone smeared feces over her door and air conditioner and left a pile on her deck.
The victim, a single black woman with small children who is not being named, told friends that there had been a loud party in the apartment next door on Tuesday night and a racial slur could be heard repeatedly. That has lead some to believe that it could be a hate crime.
The perpetrator was reportedly caught on video by security cameras at the housing complex around 3 a.m.
Police on Thursday offered more information in that officers were dispatched to Brayton Hill at about 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
The responding officer and detectives assigned to the case are working with the Brayton Hill property manager, Millenia Housing Management, to determine if a suspect or suspects can be identified.
Police Chief Jason Wood said the department also is working in collaboration with District Attorney Andrea Harrington's office, including investigating possible racist motivations for the act.
"The district attorney's office condemns this behavior,” said Harrington in a statement forwarded by Wood. "We will use the full force of the law to hold accountable those who undermine the peace and safety of our community."
Mayor Thomas Bernard on Wednesday night said was aware of the incident and police investigation.
The Facebook post also averred that the perpetrator was wearing clothing similar to that of one of the men at the party, but none of this information could be confirmed. Another poster, who says the gathering was at her home, denied there were any racist elements and said she was told by management that the suspect appeared hours after her guests left.
Wood's statement said law enforcement will pursue every lead while ensuring that every citizen's constitutional rights are upheld, protected, and respected in the pursuit of justice for the victim of this reprehensible crime.
Outrage over the incident was immediate as the post was shared with community groups. A GoFundMe was set up to help the victim purchase a new air conditioner, security cameras in addition to the facility's and new locks, as well as to provide for moving costs should that become necessary.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the North Adams Police Department at 413-664-4945.
Write-thru at 2:36 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, including statement from Wood and Harrington.
Deer Causes Accident on Route 2
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A deer was killed Friday afternoon after a collission with two Jeeps.
The accident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. near Galvin Road. The deer was attempting to cross Route 2 when it was struck by a dark gray Jeep Patriot heading east. The Patriot knocked the deer in a maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee heading west.
The deer ended up under the Galvin Road sign on the north side of the road. Both vehicles were able to turn off the highway until first-responders arrived. No one in the two vehicles were injured.
The Grand Cherokee incurred damage to its hood and lights on the passenger side. The Patriot had more extensive damage to its front end and its windshield was smashed on the driver's side. The Patriot was taken away by Cariddi Auto and police were contacting someone who could dispose of the deer.
North Adams and Williamstown Police, North Adams Fire and Northern Berkshire Ambulance responded to the scene.