News

PD: Driver arrested in fatal motorcycle crash was on drugs, had child in car

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — A driver who hit and killed a motorcyclist in Bridgewater was allegedly on drugs and had a child in the car, police say.

Bridgewater Police and Fire responded to a crash on Bedford Street (Route 18) just before noon Thursday. First responders found a "violent collision" between a car and motorcycle near 350 Bedford Street.

The crash happened just feet away from Bridgewater Auto Body, where Paul Mancinelli was working.

"I heard a bang and I turned around and there was a body flying through the air," said Mancinelli. "Ugh, I can’t get that out of my head. The guy came across. Thank god he hit this car because you can see where he stopped right here, I was right there washing the back of that vehicle."

The motorcyclist was taken to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton where he was pronounced dead. Police have not identified the victim and would only say it was a man who was not from Bridgewater.

Police say the driver, identified as 29-year-old Anthony Hathaway of Whitman, stayed at the scene and investigators determined he was under the influence of drugs.

He was arrested and charged with motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of drugs, OUI drugs, endangering a child while operating under the influence of drugs, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and marked lanes violation.

Police say Hathaway had a 7-year-old child in the car.

Mancinelli and Richard Ellis, the owner of Bridgewater Auto Body recall seeing the child in the backseat of the car after the crash.

"No child should have to see anything like that," said Ellis. "That kid’s got to live with that for the rest of his life."

An initial investigation shows the driver allegedly crossed the center line and drove into the southbound lane in order to pass the vehicle in front of him and crashed into the motorcycle head-on.

The suspect was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and will likely be arraigned on Friday.

Police say the 7-year-old boy is now with his mother.

The crash is under investigation by Bridgewater Police.

WATCH LIVE

Driver in deadly Bridgewater crash was on drugs and had child in the car, police say

Posted by Boston 25 News on Thursday, August 16, 2018