Car explodes after crash in West Yarmouth, driver charged with OUI

WEST YARMOUTH, Mass. — A car exploded overnight in West Yarmouth after the driver veered off the road and crashed into a tree, according to an official from the Yarmouth Police Department. The driver – a 21-year-old Harwich man – faces multiple charges, including OUI.

At approximately 1 a.m. on Saturday, Yarmouth Police arrived at the scene of 320 Winslow Gray Road and found a Gray 2006 Ford Escape lodged into a tree.

The driver, 21-year-old Thomas Kendall of Harwich, was standing outside of the car when police arrived with heavy bleeding from his nose and left eye. He sustained multiple injuries to his face.

Patrol officer Matt Mangano, who arrived first on the scene, escorted Kendall down the street after the front of the car became engulfed in flames.

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Moments after the pair moved to safety, flames fully engulfed the vehicle, which then exploded and damaged the surrounding trees. Yarmouth Fire was able to extinguish the blaze while police notified and moved the nearby residence to safety.

In his ensuing investigation, Officer Mangano observed that the suspect was slurring his words and that his breath smelled of alcohol. Kendall admitted to drinking tequila at a bar in Hyannis.

The suspect was transported by ambulance to Cape Cod Hospital and is set to be charged, according to police. Kendall will face charges of OUI, operating a motor vehicle negligently so as to endanger, and marked lanes violation.

Kendall’s license will also be suspended.

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