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MSP: Man arrested after driving onto bike path at Castle Island

BOSTON — Massachusetts State Police said a man was arrested Monday afternoon after driving onto a bike path at Castle Island in Boston while trying to flee from troopers.

State Police said that they attempted to stop the silver Chevy Malibu just before 2:30 p.m. on Day Boulevard, but it sped off into the parking lot of Castle Island before continuing on the bike baths surrounding Fort Independence.

Due to a high volume of pedestrians in the area, state police said they decided not to pursue the suspect and vehicle. Soon after, state police said the suspect stopped the car before walking away while talking on a cell phone. He was then captured and taken into custody.

That suspect has been identified as Jovan Brown, 37, of Fall River.

“Oh my, what is that guy crazy? What’s he doing?” said Lori Alger, who saw it all unfold.

Witnesses said seconds the driver nearly hit one young woman.

“It was coming right at me and I just kind of moved to the side as quickly as I could because I didn’t want it to hit me, I didn’t want to get hurt,” said Stephanie Strew, who was out for a walk with her aunt, Alger.

Alger was unaware her niece was nearly hit as she saw the car clip another man.

”It looked like he brushed the guy with the car and the guy started screaming and yelling,” Alger said.

Then she said he took off.

“The guy, and when I say floored it, he floored, like the tires spun. You know how teenagers do that and they smoke? That’s how fast he went.”

She believes it was about 30 to 40 miles an hour. Other witnesses said he drove around the old fort at least two times. Sullivan’s, the iconic food stand, actually allowed people to pack inside to get out of the way.

”We put the restaurant into lockdown for about 20+ minutes just for the safety of everyone. And then we opened after the incident was resolved,” said Chris Hazelwood, who is Sullivan’s General Manager.

Police said that Brown, who they later arrested, ditched the car and tried to casually walk past police. But they spotted him and quickly place him under arrest. As for Strew, she’s glad that she and no one else was hurt.

″It could have ended up a lot worse. I’m thankful nothing happened to me and I’m ok.

Brown faces the following charges, according to State Police:

  • Fugitive from Justice on Court Warrant
  • Fail to Stop For Police
  • Assault With a Dangerous Weapon
  • Reckless Endangerment of Children
  • Assault to Intimidate
  • Assault and Battery on a Police Officer
  • Assault to Commit Felony
  • Disturbing the Peace
  • Trespassing with a Motor Vehicle
  • Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
  • Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Speeding
  • Passing Violation
  • Marked Lanes Violation
  • Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle

He’s due to be arraigned in South Boston District Court Tuesday morning.