West Barnstable Fire/CWN
WEST BARNSTABLE – Barnstable Police report that on Monday, members of the department responded to a single car motor vehicle accident on Rte 6A in the area of the town line with Sandwich. At 8:39 PM, Barnstable PD Dispatch received a 911 telephone call regarding a motor vehicle that struck a utility pole in the area of 151 Main Street (Route 6A). A 2008 Toyota Tundra pick up was traveling westbound on Route 6A when it struck the utility pole. Both the utility pole and the vehicle had significant damage. No power outages were reported at the time of the accident. However, this section of Route 6A was closed for approximately 15 hours as utility crews worked throughout the night and into the next day to replace the utility pole.
The operator of the vehicle was identified as Christopher J Challies, 46, of Sandwich. He sustained obvious injuries and possible internal injuries. The vehicle had extensive front end damage with a shattered windshield and airbag deployment. He was transported to Cape Cod Hospital Emergency Room. Both the West Barnstable Fire Department and Sandwich Fire Departments responded to the accident scene.
Editor’s note: Challies is a Barnstable Police Sergeant who was on leave for a prior incident.
The vehicle Challies was operating had traveled approximately 75 yards off the road prior to striking the utility pole. Challies said that he was distracted by a cellular telephone prior to striking the utility pole. The damage to the vehicle and distanced it traveled off the road was not consistent with a brief cellular telephone distraction.
Barnstable Police Officers responded to Cape Cod Hospital for a follow up investigation relating to the motor vehicle accident and to check on the status of Challies’ injuries. After speaking with Cchallies and making several observations of him, Lt. John Murphy believed probable cause existed to charge Challies with OUI. At that time, Challies was still being medically treated and evaluated for his injuries. Lt. Murphy told Challies that he was going to be charged with OUI and other motor vehicle violations relating to the accident.
On Wednesday, Challies was issued a criminal application motor vehicle citation charging him with Operating under the influence of liquor, Operating negligently to endanger, and marked lanes violation.
Media release furnished by Barnstable Police
