13 people were injured when a Newton motor vehicle crash on Monday when a van drove into a stopped garbage truck at around 9am. Three of the special needs passengers sustained serious injuries. The Jaws of Life had to be used to remove the passenger in the front seat. At the time of the Middlesex County traffic crash the van was taking the adult special needs passengers to the Price Center where they were going to avail of rehabilitation and employment services.
Police have charged the driver of the van, Addis Gabriel Woldeguiorguis, with driving while driving under the influence of drugs. Woldeguiorguis, who was also injured in the Newton van accident, told police that he took oxycodone pills a few hours before the Newton traffic crash because his foot hurt and he suffers from diabetes, prostate cancer, and tuberculosis. However, police also say that they found a crack pipe, and a bag with what they think might be crack cocaine.
The company that Woldeguiorguis, was operating the van for is called AART Transportation. The Boston Globe says that Woldeguiorguis had an extensive traffic history in New York going back to the 1980’s, including a notation for drug possession in 2005. However, because regulators only check a driver’s Massachusetts record when assessing the credentials of contracted drivers, these out-of-state violations went undetected.
It is the job of employers to make sure that any drivers that they retain have a solid driving record and are good, experienced, and safe drivers. Employers can be held liable for Boston personal injury if the person that they hired was negligent in causing a collision that resulted in someone getting hurt or dying. There may also other parties affiliated with the vehicle or the service provided by the driver who should also be held financially liable for the victim’s injuries or death.
Van crash shocker: Charged driver has spotty record, Boston Herald, August 2, 2011
Driver of special needs van faces OUI charge after Newton crash injures 13, Boston.com, August 1, 2011
Related Web Resources:
Massachusetts General Laws
The Price Center
More Blog Posts:
Is the State Doing Enough to Prevent Massachusetts Car Crashes By Discouraging Drunk Driving?, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, February 12, 2011
Drunk Driver Crashes Stolen Car After Police Chase on Interstate 93, Boston Car Accident Lawyer, June 17, 2011
To find out whether you have grounds for a case, contact Altman & Altman, LLP and ask to speak with a Boston injury lawyer.