OAK BLUFFS – A vehicle that allegedly failed to stop for police ended up in the water at the Steamship Authority dock in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. The incident happened about 9:30 PM Thursday evening. The driver was able to escape the vehicle and swim to a piling where fire and rescue personnel were able to reach him by boat. He was transported to the hospital for evaluation of possible hypothermia.
From Oak Bluffs Police: At approximately 9:30 PM on Thursday, Oak Bluffs Police Sergeant Wiggin was on patrol and observed a Ford F250 believed to be solely occupied and operated by a subject wanted for an incident that occurred earlier in the evening ni Oak Bluffs. That earlier incident resulted in arrestable crimes of violence which cannot be disclosed due to the domestic violence laws of Massachusetts.
Upon observing this vehicle, Sergeant Wiggin attempted to stop the vehicle as it traveled in the area of Masonic Avenue. The vehicle did not stop after Sergeant Wiggin activated his lights and siren. The vehicle continued to travel towards Massasoit Ave and eventually stopped.
Sergeant Wiggin believed that the driver of the vehicle had given up and placed his cruiser in park. The driver then drove his truck in reverse and accelerated rapidly. The truck rammed into the front of the cruiser causing significant damage.
Oak Bluffs Police/CWN
The truck then sped off towards Seaview Ave at a high rate of speed. Due to the significant damage to the cruiser, limiting its operation, Sergeant Wiggin updated responding officers and was able to limp it along and keep the truck in his line of sight. Sergeant Wiggin was able to observe the truck turn onto the gated ramp of the Steamship Authority Dock at the corner of Seaview Ave and Oak Bluffs Ave. Sergeant Wiggin positioned his cruiser at the entrance of the ramp and observed the truck launch of of the ferry ramp into the water. Sergeant Wiggin immediately requested assistance from the Oak Bluffs Fire Department and US Coast Guard.
Over the several minutes, additional officers from the OBPD and State Police as well as Oak Bluffs Fire Department personnel arrived on location. The driver of the vehicle was later observed swimming away from the ramp and climbed a ladder onto one of the large pilings.
OBPD officers along with OBFD firefighters responded to the area on the Fire/Police boat. The driver of the vehicle then climbed down the ladder onto the boat. He was taken into custody without further incident and transported to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for minor hand injuries
received during his self-extrication from his truck. He was released shortly thereafter and booked into the Dukes County Jail and will be arraigned later today in the Edgartown District Court.
He was charged with the following offenses:
1. Assault and Battery on a Family or Household Member (2 counts)
2. Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon to wit: Motor Vehicle
3. Disorderly Conduct
4. Resisting Arrest
5. Vandalism (2 counts)
6. Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
7. Refusal to Stop for Police
8. Trespassing with a Motor Vehicle
9. Speeding
There were no injuries to Sergeant Wiggin. The vehicle will be removed from the area of the Steamship Authority pier when the weather conditions improve.
Again, due to the initial call for service, this incident is classified as a domestic violence case and no further information can be released by the Oak Bluffs Police Department.
