Arlington Accident Probe Leads to DUI Charge for Medford Resident

– Bob Sprague, YourArlington.com

A fiery crash on Summer Street more than three weeks ago has resulted in a felony charge naming a 21-year-old Medford resident following an Arlington police investigation. A police press release did not name the person charged, because the person had not yet been arraigned.

In response to a request for the name from YourArlington, Chief Fred Ryan wrote in an e-mail March 24: “We typically do not release the names of those summoned as opposed to those arrested. This is because the person hasn’t actually been arraigned on the charges. I’d be happy to release his name following the formal charging (i.e. arraignment).”

The press release offers the following account:

About 2 a.m. March 1, while on routine patrol, Sgt. Sean Kiernan reported he discovered a single car crash in the area of 108 Summer St., Arlington. The vehicle appeared to have stuck a fixed object, rolled over and burst into flames.

No 911 calls were made to police reporting the crash.

Upon further investigation, Sgt. Kiernan and other Arlington police officers located two persons unconscious and seriously injured. One had been ejected from the car, and the second was trapped inside.

While on scene, the officers used their fire extinguishers and removed the trapped occupant from the rear of the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, Arlington firefighters and EMT’s arrived to assist. Both persons were later transported to Lahey Clinic with serious injuries.

As a result of a follow-up investigation conducted by Officer Corey Rateau, a warrant was issued by the Cambridge District Court to search the medical records of the vehicle’s operator, a 21-year-old Medford resident.

Based on evidence discovered at the scene, information developed during the follow-up investigation and evidence from the medical records, the operator was cited for operating under the influence of liquor and causing serious bodily injury (a felony), speeding and failing to wear a seat belt.

Chief Ryan said, “Thankfully, Sgt. Kiernan was on patrol and alert that morning. His actions and the actions of the other officers and firefighters likely saved the lives of these young men. I commended them all for their outstanding work.”