Canton police chief cited for hitting pedestrian in crosswalk with town-owned SUV, officials say
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty, who was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, issued a statement more than a month after she struck a person with a town-owned vehicle in Wrentham.
Chief Rafferty said in a statement Monday that she was driving home in her official SUV on February 16 when she “accidentally struck” a Wrentham resident. The chief said she was turning left from South Street onto Creek Street when she caught sight of the pedestrian’s reflective vest.
“I immediately applied my brakes, but unfortunately, the car made contact with him, knocking him to the ground. I immediately exited my vehicle to render first aid and called 911,” the chief said.
Rafferty said she remained on the scene throughout the emergency response to answer questions and in addition, she requested a breathalyzer test for herself.
“The result was 0.00,” according to an incident report released from Wrentham police, adding that Rafferty “was issued a civil citation” that night for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Rafferty said Monday she has since paid the fine.
The pedestrian, identified as Michael Barry, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment after suffering a laceration to the right side of his head and complaining of left knee pain, one report said.
Barry’s attorney Seth Jacobs told Boston 25 News Monday he had suffered multiple fractures to his legs, ribs and shoulder. He endured major knee surgery, spending one week in the hospital and a second week in rehab, Jacobs said.
“He’s appreciative for all the help first responders gave at the scene, and he has a long road to recovery ahead,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs said his client has not decided whether or not he will file a lawsuit but said he has been in touch with the insurance company for the town of Canton.
On the night of the Feb. crash responding officers took photographs of the SUV at the crime scene which didn’t show significant damage.
“There was a white scuff mark on the passenger front bumper from either MICHAEL’s person or his cane (see photograph),” the report said. “No other damage was noted to [motor vehicle] #1, and it did not require a tow as it was operable. I observed the area of the crash to be poorly lit with only one fluorescent light.”
A witness of the crash also approached officers at the scene and told them Rafferty was “not operating erratically before the crash,” as indicated in the report.
While Rafferty said she notified Canton town officials about the incident, she expressed regret for not informing the public.
“Upon further reflection and considering the amount of attention that has been focused on Canton, I should have issued a statement sooner,” she wrote.
Canton Police have been under widespread scrutiny over the handling of the Karen Read murder case. Read is accused of running down her Boston Police officer boyfriend John O’Keefe with her SUV outside 34 Fairview Rd in Canton just after midnight on January 29, 2022.
I am surprised the victim wasn't charged with damaging the vehicle he bounced off, obstruction, and a bunch of other made up charges so he could not bring a civil case.
Or breach of the peace as he yelled in pain.
Or at least arrested for resisting.
Lol right.
Or obstruction for, well…
@@kelly73 very true, his body lying in front of her cruiser is definitely obstruction
At this man’s age, those injuries will be life-altering…
The reason it came out is because the police department is getting audited. The town just voted to audit police department
Isn't that done all the time? That, in itself, sounds suspicious.
"We've investigated ourselves and found No Crosswalk... I mean No Wrongdoing".
Your Tax Dollar$ At Work.
Audited! Didn't this happen while the chief was off duty driving her personal vehicle?
@@dmunz7015 The video said she was driving a town issued vehicle.
@@alphabravo8703 no thats what internal investigations is
She wishes she would have come forward sooner. Really Chief?
This police department cant even do a cover up correctly.
Police all seem to have trouble with their eyes railway lines now yellow vests they should have a mandatory eye test at least to get them in these non jobs 😂😂😂😂😂😂🎉🎉
Accidents can happen but cover ups should not.
They got to tow that blue line…
And notice the reporter only said no trace of alcohol, it’s the words or rather the lack there of in this case. Like how there is a total lack of clarity on the matter, notice how they just said ‘no trace” otherwise meaning; that no open container was reported by police and since they all suddly had that blue flu, with a stuffy noses there was no smell of alcohol reported by officers working the accident that their chief of police was involved in…
instant blue wall & moat around that castle… folks…
in fact; It’s SOP (standard operating procedure) that when any law enforcement or other personnel are involved in an accident while operating a publicly owned vehicle, such as police car, truck, SUV, UTV, boat, even motorcycle’s, & aircraft even If operator is DOA … it’s a mandatory blood draw since it’s:
1.) a one stop test for all controlled substances including alcohol,
2.) It’s absolutely accurate, unlike the roadside PBT that’s been proven to be wildly inaccurate, & highly unreliable. And the dirty secret is they always knew it but arrested & convicted on it… look it up.. road pirates, organized crime behind that blue line… & They can’t help but tow that blue line and CYA by ignoring their wrong doing while falsely arresting & making up charges against the average citizen, especially when they get caught up in potential scandals &/ or lawsuits… ask any cop what a cya charge is…
because it’s especially used after they violate people’s civil rights… so they can claim qualified immunity….
In case you're wondering,chief Rafferty statement is what bullshit sounds like.
Whenever a cop makes a statement lips move and bullshit always follows. That’s 100% all the time.
Says a convict😂
I've often wondered what bullshit sounded like.
@@mooreorlessvideosare the you the clever dolt!
🎯
What the blazes is that..."She wishes that she would have come forward sooner?". She should have to resign! How do you keep this quiet that the Chief of Police hit a man with such force that he's suffering multiple broken bones? That's a 67 year old man, his body will NEVER heal from this!!! At 6:30 she couldn't see this man in a yellow "REFLECTIVE VEST?" She was going too fast into a cross walk period!!!
Dude was in a crosswalk, which is supposed to be the safest place to cross, is 67 so I seriously doubt he suddenly ran out in front of her, and was literally wearing a reflective vest...there's zero excuse for this. There isn't a doubt in my mind that she was either going too fast or driving while distracted/impaired. Probably both. There's no way you or I would walk away with just a $200 citation for seriously injuring a senior citizen like this.
Would have a regular citizen been handled the same way.
What was done different here than is done to anyone else?
@@Porcupine694 Arrested for what? There was nothing criminal about it. The man isn't dead. The incident was investigated by a different department. She blew 0.0 on PBT. She got a traffic citation. People hit pedestrians all the time and don't get charged criminally for it. So wtf are you going on about?
All the time in those parts!!
@@Tracygirl423 Dirty cops?
... then, what is the point of wearing a reflective vest?
Aiming point , 😂
Anyone else would have been charged but the popo get a citation 💀
At 67 he will never recover.
what was the pedestrian thinking... walking in a cross walk when a police officer wanted to drive through it... clearly confused thinking the fact they had the right of way regardless of what vehicles were doing... and with cops qualified immunity the old guy was clearly delusional and shouldn't have been walking in public.
"We've investigated ourselves and found No Crosswalk... I mean No Wrongdoing".
Your Tax Dollar$ At Work.
Yes surprising he did not get sighted for OBSTRUCTION !
They probably blinded the officer with their reflective vest too! These pedestrians should be outlawed! They're dangerous!
Which one of her sober officers blew in the breathanalyser for her?
@@jimmy_kirk if the pedestrian had jumped out of the way, she probably would have stopped sooner .. and arrested them for resisting.
Law enforcement.....the gift that keeps on giving.
You don’t say? She’s only coming out now due to TB
The Chief didn’t jump out and un alive him. I’m surprised. That’s policy. Cuts down on witnesses.
Officer safety
@@fucker1714 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. Yep nobody cares about the civilian. Just ask the Uvalde children. Cops are now Uvalde cowards.
She was merely exercising her rights to "officer safety".
Based on statements by the driver and others the intersection is lighted cop making left turn had visual of cross walk. On making turn victim would've been in more than halfway across street .
So prior to turn this person would have been either directly to her left or walking straight towards her from opposite curb in reflective vest. But this cop didn't notice anything until contact.
ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE SHE WAS USING A DEVICE WHILE DRIVING...RIGHT?
police are special and apparently they are incapable of being distracted while driving
I love how you people don't question how the police always word their statements as if they did nothing wrong.
she was probably drunk on her way home from the bar
"We've investigated ourselves and found No Crosswalk... I mean No Wrongdoing".
Your Tax Dollar$ At Work.
This would also be considered reckless endangerment
Six weeks later to get cited. Seems every time I hit someone they cite me right away.
Somehow I think either of us in the same situation would have been arrested for vehicular manslaughter.
" My vehicle came in contact with him" AKA I hit him with my car!
Canton is full of shady characters. Coverup coverup coverup
Sounds like she was driving unsafe for the conditions. If she knew it was raining and dark with bad visibility, you slow down. Especially for a cop she should be charged with more offenses.
bet she was on her phone
This is what happens when you let them out of the kitchen
Helena Rafferty only paid $200 fine, what a joke! This cop lives in a 1.8m 7k sq ft mansion by her salary which from tax payers, and used the town car for daily commute and saving her gas. Helena Rafferty hit this pedestrian who had the shining yellow vest on and flash light and cane, but she hit him, he had 9 surgeries and stayed at hospital for over 3 weeks. The car behind her car even saw the pedestrian walking. Helena Rafferty only paid $200, she should resign, the town should file an investigation about how she can afford a 7k sqft mansion! At the site, what she did was to call that town police chief to cover up.
The police chiefs in some MA towns make hundreds of thousands a year. In Methuen the chief makes 250k all 4 of them😂
That is why Helena Rafferty said she is a high standard person, because she can have all those corrupted money from people by hitting people walking on the crossway.
@@JennyHU-fq6cg "We've investigated ourselves and found No Crosswalk... I mean No Wrongdoing".
Your Tax Dollar$ At Work.
Not paid for by taxpayer.she being investigated further 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
It was an Accident, chill out!
how was the pedestrian not charged with obstruction? he was clearly interfering with an investigation.. and caused damage to "her" police vehicle. smh
Check the pings off the cell towers. She was probably yakking on her phone.
Police aren’t required to follow traffic laws because that’s a slippery slope
@@mb9662…..Who told you that? Don’t trust them going forward
The traffic law exception only applies when responding to an emergency call, not at all times because you exist as an officer
@@Tortilla.Reform no, police are not ticketed for breaking traffic code. If police wrote other police up for traffic violations, that could lead to problems
@@mb9662 Yea, you seem confused. You completely ignored what I said hahaha
@@mb9662 It SOUNDS like you're being satirical but police apologists say so many insane things in earnest that I genuinely can't tell anymore.
Now if thats was you or me we'd be in cuffs on the spot.
If you're making a left turn onto a side street, then you have a much better view to see if pedestrians, especially one wearing a reflective vest are in the crosswalk. That is if you're not distracted by something else like a phone.
Exactly...she was looking at something else!
Another disgraceful person much less disgraceful law officer
Was she on drugs and using her cell phone?
A month later? Did anyone investigate? was she DUI? was she on her cell phone? Anyone else would be investigated! She hoped no one would find out!
You should watch the video. She requested a breathalyzer which showed no alcohol. This just might be a terrible accident and she didn’t appear to receive special treatment. The issue is her failure to report the accident/ticket which is likely part of the expectations of officers.
@@AbNomal621 "She requested a breathalyzer which showed no alcohol" More accurately, she and officers who work under her CLAIMED she requested a breathalyzer and SOMEBODY, who may or may not have been the chief, blew a 0.00. She definitely received special treatment. I promise that if you hit and seriously injure an old man in a crosswalk who's literally wearing a reflective safety vest, you aren't walking away from the scene with just a $200 citation.
@@user-js4iw9rz2wexactlyyyyyy would have def been a manslaughter case 100% there is no way that could have been anyone else’s statement and receive a citation
If it was you or me we'd been in handcuffs and blood screening
Do we have video showing she actually took the breathalyzer test?
Now that it has hit the news I wish I had said something earlier instead of trying to sweep it under the rug. Now I am spending my time finding the people who dropped the dime 0n me and when I do hold on.
Yeah, I think we know how this story goes......
I see you speak Cop.
Imagine what an actual "news" outlet might do with this story. How about doing a FOIA request to see what happened to other drivers that severely injured pedestrians in a crosswalk? I'm betting that they didn't get their hand held by the local police chief, and then get issued the barest minimum ticket that completely ignores them striking a lawful pedestrian. The corruption at both of these PDs needs to be immediately removed from the top down.
Bad enough injuries from a car going so slow????? Did those witnesses actually exist????
the cops ask for witnesses who would lie in court for them!
Cops are never held accountable
😂😂😂
@@fuzz6938You’re laughing because you’re struggling to understand simple facts? Or have you never heard “We’ve investigated ourselves and found no wrongdoing”
So what do you think you would have been charged with for the same incident ? And what do you think you would have been fined ? I’m guessing the same process would have been used to determine the charges and fine. A crash investigation would have determined what happened which would include witness observations and physical evidence at the scene in this case. The investigating officer would have determined what if any charges were warranted and then a judge would hear the evidence and most likely review the violators driving record and determine what punishment would be determined. Pretty simply process and appears to have been conducted in the appropriate manner. Believe it or not crashes do happen and unfortunately sometimes people get hurt. I don’t see anything in this story where the police chief asked for or received special treatment. According to the eyewitness and a portable breath test there was no impairment. I’m guessing you are just one of those law enforcement haters that whine and complain about everything law enforcement related and never look at any situation objectively. Sometimes you are probably correct but probably not in this incident. The police chief is most definitely a DEI hire but what exactly do you think the cover up was ?
@@russellhixson1692 it’s so funny that you’re defensive assumptions about anyone criticizing government agents with power and low accountability, like police officers, is “you must be one of those police haters”
That’s a very emotional deflection, a way to dismiss any perspective different than yours by making assumptions generous to your argument. And then when you finished with that lazy buzzword of DEI, I could tell you were just rattling ofd weird political talking points that you personally agree with 😂as soon as you don’t see a white man in power you cry and assume DEI as if Nepotism has never existed or thrived in America
@@Tortilla.Reform I’m guessing reading and comprehension aren’t some of your strong suits. I agreed that you are probably right on occasion but you aren’t capable of looking at situations objectively do to your hatred. I didn’t assume DEI I’m confident that is why she is in the position she is in. I will also assume you haven’t contributed anything worth while to society and you are most likely a part of the Slo Joe clown show.
That’s a lot of injury and pain for a disabled older man.
She needs to be forced to resign.
Why ??? She stopped rendered aid , requested a breathalyser and didn’t leave the scene . What exactly do you think she did wrong ?? It was an accident FFS!!!
@@robbie44ish did you not listen at the end of the video?
Should you lose your job if you crashed ? FI !!
@@natalia-grace she covered up the incident.
@@fjb960 : She covered her side of the story to the media, not the actual incident. She even called another chief to handle the investigation. She stayed on scene, rendered aid, and there was even a witness.
If that would have been us we'd still be in jail with no bail
Laws don't apply to cops or retired cops!
no, but they can invent laws you need to follow!
The victim will be charged.
Horse crap. She was on her phone.
Nothing to see here folks. No big deal, it's not my fault he was in the crosswalk wearing a reflective vest and walking with a cane.... He shouldn't have been crosswalk when I was turning... She acts like she just barely tapped him with the bumper..
She needs arrested and charged to the fullest extent of the law. Just like everyone else would.
Charged with what
@@cajunrcfamily6188 Dangerous driving causing bodily harm, operation of a handheld device while driving (ie: distracted driving), negligent operation of a motor-vehicle
"Now that I've been caught, I wish that I'd come forward sooner." - Every "good" criminal
Why was she driving a Canton owned vehicle in Wrentham?
did she even have a valid drivers license?????????????, and was she drug tested at the time?????????????, this goes to court, judge is taking the cops word, mark my words
Bev will handle it
Im a former officer and have done many investigations on our officers and haven't found one instance of wrongdoing 😂😂😂😂😂😂
SHULLBIT !
She essentially shortened that guys life considerably
State police trooper guarino examined her phone and found nothing
Two words that should never go together. Chief & Helena.
Shocked the pig didn’t arrest the pedestrian for jaywalking in a cross walk.
She needs to be fired you don’t leave the scene of an accident!
She needs arrested and charged to the fullest extent of the law. Just like everyone else would.
She didn't leave the scene
If the rolls where reverse I Would be in jail
Im surprised they didn't charge the man for vandalizing the car.
Obviously wasn't paying attention while she was driving. Need to check her cell phone records..
Ahhhh Helena guesses she should have made a statement earlier. Do ya think? Justice for Sandra Birchmore too. Don’t forget the Feds are investigating that case as well.
🥱
@@EC-dz3fb🤭
Seriously? Your username is the_godturtle? Cultist at all? Blind allegiance to anyone is concerning, especially to a man who behaves as he does.
@@EC-dz3fb Are you yawning?
How fast was she going to cause this much damage to the guy. She was turning a corner so she should have been going 5mph at best.
put her in jail till trial wow the two teared justice system is out of control and needs to be fixed. if this were you are i we would be in jail on fake dui charges without bond . wake the f up america
They always try to cover their mess first.
For the same thing she probably wrote dozens of tickets to civilians for.
Wow, she even cop-splains her off-duty traffic accidents! Carefully worded to dismiss the part about turning into a crosswalk without confirming there were no people, pets, or plants in it.
They should arrest her ass and charge her with reckless driving.
So,it's not attempted vehicular murder?or intentions?
'Come forward...' Sure. Waiting for it to remain hidden is more like it.
Typical lying thin blue line gangsters
She needs to resign.
Why ? If you have a job, should you be fired if you crashed ?
@@natalia-grace that statement is ridiculous lol
Are police officers not human? People make mistakes.
@@peacelovejoyandhappiness almost killing a man is a mistake police chiefs shouldn’t be accidentally making especially when they cover it up and don’t tell the public
@@peacelovejoyandhappiness : It’s an accident, but people are anti police so they pick on any little thing a cop does. Imagine a doctor crashes on his or her way to work, should they be fired ?
She was drunk as always. Notice that she was the one holding the breathalyzer!!!!!!!!!! Where's the body cam footage?!?!?! Blue line gangster's strike again as always
Chief should lose job, lose all benefits, no qualified immunity whatsoever! Any monetary damages should come out of her own personal expenses...Not the city!!!
Oh yeah, how about some jail time with this as well!
Am not going to say anything about it being a women driver.
26 year old chief ??? Yeah, that makes sense
another cover up? was she dumb enough that she thought nobody would find out?
It seems more of these cops are getting caught for all sorts of crimes
It shows that law enforcement personnel are merely people too, and we need to stop putting them on some pedestal for doing their jobs. We also need to hold them accountable just like any other person.
@@FarckewVerimuccThe problem with the “just people too” false equivalence is that no other person you compare a police officer to has the same power and authority over *everyone else* in society that police do, or the benefits of internal investigations conducted by peers and colleagues in the brotherhood of fellow officers
@@Tortilla.Reform That was exactly my point. They are given power but no accountability because people believe they have been properly vetted and trained when they clearly have not. They are just people, and shouldn’t get a free pass when they misbehave. In fact, the punishment should be stricter.
@@FarckewVerimuccagree!!!
Bet no blood test for substances were done. Hum….
How about drugs
Wasn't it a hit and run? If so, why isn't she in jail?
Cops want to be held to a higher level. Then why aren't they held to higher punishment for wrongdoings.
The way cops drive they were in a hurry and had traffic coming so to beat the oncoming traffic she ran over a man with protective vest . She knew he was there but was trying to beat him. He will sue her and the city she was cited . 😂😂😂😂
They don't say whether they checked her phone to see if she was using it at the time of the accident. Texting while driving is the same degree of impairment as DUI, if not more.
Just because she wasnt drinking doesn't mean she wasnt on some other barbiturates.
Was she on Her phone?That's a first the law doesn't apply to the police so they think
No longer police chief hopefully.
Fire her immediately.
She must have been speeding!
Appalling ‼️‼️‼️
but shes entitled
This is the RULE with police agencies. CITIZENS WAKE UP! FIGURE IT OUT, DEFUND!!! START AGAIN WITH CITIZENS IN CHARGE, NO POLICE PERSONNEL.
CREATE NEW POLICES, TRAINIMG. HIRING
She ran him over. Tyrant
😂😂😂
She stopped, reported it and got cited and paid a fine...JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE! There will likely be further consequences, but some of the commentariat here are just freakin' stupid!
Cant even drive, but she's the cheif? 👌
Why is she driving a town issued car? Why can't she pay for her own god damn care out of her own FUCKING pocket? Why on earth does she get a town issued vehicle? She already drives a town issued vehicle because she probably drives a police car during her patrol? I just don't understand why tax payers have to foot the bill for her car? Thats outrageous.
Talk about DEI hiring… a chick ..and she’s supposed to lead a police dept full of men….omg…..
Sounds like every criminal every time I wish I had did the RIGHT thing but I thought my Stars and Position would have protected me. The police check her phone records to see is was texting while driving or did they just stop the investigation after the breath test.
A cop can always commit a crime, said cop knows what to say, how to say it and make it look like it was the victims fault. A cop can season anything in order to help themselves get out of trouble. That's why so many can get away with stealing while at a traffic stop, rear end you and make you out to be drunk and the cause of the accident. A perfect example was to have the 60 year, who is walking, take a breath test....in the Chief's own words.
When you actually hit someone while breaking the law it isn’t just the infraction you get charged with it also has to include resulting in grave bodily injury. 200 dollar fine. Makes me sick these entitlements
im suprised he wasn't charged with failure to ID himself and resisting arrest for not putting his hands behind his back after she intentionally mowed him down.
Where's all the 1st amendment auditors around Canton? It seems fertile ground for YT videos.