WAKEFIELD — Iced-over roadway conditions from freezing rain were responsible for numerous motor vehicle accidents and rollovers throughout the state this morning and yesterday. Two accidents were reported in Wakefield this morning, said police, and a woman injured in one of the accidents was taken to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital for treatment.
The Department of Public Works was notified around 5:45 p.m. about the icy roadway situation.
Just before 6:30 a.m. the woman who was taken to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital had collided with another driver at the intersection of Prospect Street and Valeview Road.
Another accident was reported an hour later on Hopkins Street when a driver went into a pole.
Patrol Officer Robert Haladay responded to both scenes.
Details of the accidents were not available due to the change in shift.
The Fire Department and Action Ambulance also responded to the calls.
Numerous other accidents were reported in western and southwestern Massachusetts along the New York and Connecticut borders.
Slick roads were also reported in the Worcester area and Rte. 9 was shut down yesterday for about 45 minutes following a serious mid-morning car crash.
Police are cautioning people to exercise greater care while driving, particularly after a rainfall and freezing temperatures when black ice occurs.
Today through Wednesday, temperatures are expected to be above freezing with mostly sunny skies. Thursday’s temperature is forecast to be below 32 degrees, however, with morning snow showers coming through the region.
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A 30-year-old man from Wilmington will soon be summonsed to court to answer to a host of motor vehicle charges, including failing to stop for a police officer. The man was spotted speeding in the area of Byron and Gould streets at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday before crashing into a tree, said police.
Patrol Officer Kenneth Silva was in the area where the Wilmington man was driving and, while trying to avoid being pulled over after being observed speeding, the suspect went into the tree. The driver then exited the vehicle and tried to run from Silva but was quickly apprehended.
The charges he will now face in Malden District Court include failing to stop for a police officer and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. He also received citations for taking a turn where prohibited, taking a right at a light where prohibited and speeding.
The driver apparently was not injured during the crash.
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In other police business over the weekend, beginning Friday:
• A minor collision took place at the intersection of Crescent and Water streets at about 11 a.m.
• Police responded to a call from a property manager on Albion Street who said he observed a suspicious man checking doors just after noon. Police said the man was confronted but left the area before being located. The suspect was described as wearing a hat bearing a British flag.
• A Water Street resident notified police about annoying and harassing phone calls he had been receiving. Police are looking into the matter, reported at about 2 p.m.
• A minor collision on Lowell Street was reported at 3:15 p.m. Papers were exchanged.
• Patrol Officer Amy Toothaker went to a Lafayette Street group home following a report about a girl, age 16, assaulting another girl, age 15, with a crutch. The girl who instigated the fight will be summonsed to Cambridge Juvenile Court.
• A citizen who found a purse on the sidewalk on Main Street turned it in to the Police Station for safekeeping. The owner was contacted at about 10:30 p.m.
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On Saturday:
• A manager at Liberty Chevrolet on Bay State Road reported that a 2015 Isuzu moving truck had been stolen from the lot. The vehicle was later recovered. The incident was logged at about 9:20 a.m.
• Several salesmen going door to door trying to sell replacement windows were sent on their way at about 12:40 p.m. Police advised the men on the town’s proper solicitation procedure.
• A Pleasant Street resident told police he came home after spending time in a hospital and found that someone had damaged his door. Nothing appeared to be missing from the man’s apartment. The incident was logged just before 3 p.m.
• A dog struck by a vehicle on Water Street was becoming aggressive when a citizen tried to help it at about 7 p.m. The owners of the dog were contacted and they transported the animal to a veterinarian.
• An Audubon Road resident reported that her upstairs neighbor’s television was too loud. Police resolved the matter at about 8:30 p.m.
• An incident involving loud drum playing was reported at about 11:30 p.m. but police said the complaint was unfounded.
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On Sunday:
• The owner of a home on Main Street complained that his tenant damaged an apartment wall and door. Police said the incident was a civil matter. The call was logged at 2:50 p.m.
• Police went to Hopkins Street following a call about occupants of a black Nissan Altima tossing a syringe out of a passenger’s side window. The driver of the vehicle was reportedly in the caller’s driveway but when police arrived the driver had left and police were unable to locate him.
• A Main Street resident reported the theft of clothing left in a laundry room. The victim requested that the incident be logged at 6:40 p.m.
