Two injured, truck driver subdued with Taser
INVESTIGATION: Whitman officers wait for the box truck involved in a morning car crash on Auburn Street as it is towed from the scene Wednesday morning. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.
WHITMAN — A box truck crashed into a house after striking a full-sized landscape truck from behind and reportedly driving erratically in a 6:30 a.m. crash on Route 14 in front of 1120 Auburn Street in Whitman Wednesday.
The driver of the box truck, identified by police as David Anderson, 30, of East Bridgewater became belligerent yelling obscenities, and assaulting Bridgewater paramedics who had arrived on scene to assist after they happened across it while returning from a previous call at the hospital.
Describing the scene, several witnesses said the driver of the white Enterprise box truck, which was reportedly a contracted driver for Lowe’s appeared “out of it,” cursing and becoming physical with EMS and police officials as they were attending to him.
Police Chief Scott Benton confirmed his officer did tase the driver based on the actions and mannerism in which he was exhibiting toward officials.
Anderson, who was initially found unconscious by the first arriving personnel, was receiving medical care and speaking with officials when he became combative.
“He failed to comply with verbal commands given by officers and as a result of his continued assaultive and combative behavior he was drive stun tased,” said Benton.
Anderson continued to kick and resist personnel as they strapped him to the stretcher. Benton commended officials for their exemplary action during a “very active and progressively violent scene” he stated in a press release.
Homeowner Jill Bekerian assesses the damage to her home after a box truck crashed into it at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning while the couple was asleep inside. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.
Along with two counts of assault and battery on an officer, Anderson is facing charges of OUI, drugs; negligent operations; two counts of assault of EMS officials; assault and battery dangerous weapon to wit, shod foot, of fire personnel; disorderly conduct; operating with a suspended license and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, said Benton.
Witnesses stated to officers that the truck had been operating erratically prior to the crash, which occurred as the landscape truck was waiting for a stopped school bus, which was picking up children only yards away.
“Whitman police personnel handled the situation appropriately and according to policies and procedures of the Whitman Police Department based on the actions of the driver,” Benton said. “He will be facing charges and the incident is an ongoing investigation.”
Homeowners Jill and Ricky Bekerian, startled but unharmed, were asleep in their home when their dogs’ barking awakened them.
“We got up to see what they were barking at and the truck was here in the garage,” she said.
Less than two hours later elementary school children and parents were waiting for the bus, feet from the after math of the crash scene where remaining pieces of wood were scattered on the ground.
“We were happy no one was outside yet,” said Brenda Shaefer of her younger children. A large piece of tree bark was stripped next to their driveway. The family lives right next door to the crash site.
A loud bang and continuous sirens causing a chaotic start to their morning – drawing them outside as the family quickly recalled a similar close call last year.
“We had a car crash here last year… it took out the telephone pole and stopped right on our island on the front lawn,” said Shaefer.
The road is well traveled and has been known for its share of motor vehicle accidents on the straightaway that extends from Whitman to Brockton.
The driver of the landscaping truck Isis Barbosa, 24, of Bridgewater sustained non-life threatening injuries. He was transported to the hospital for care.