Tom’s Top 3 for 2/15: Pittsfield Man Arrested After Leaving Accident Scene

Pittsfield Police responded to the area of Holmes Road and Shetland Drive for a reported motor vehicle accident Wednesday morning shortly before 10:30am. According to a press release from the Police Department, a witness to the accident reported that one of the vehicles involved, a red colored SUV, had left the scene. While driving on Williams Street, towards the scene of the accident, Officer Brandon Gallagher observed a red colored SUV driving east bound. The SUV, which had extensive damage, was being driven at a slow speed with its emergency flashers on. Officer Gallagher noted the vehicle’s side airbags had been deployed and that although the vehicle was being driven, one of its tires was underneath it.

The SUV was pulled over and Officer Gallagher identified the operator as 20 year old Trevor Maffuccio of Pittsfield. Maffuccio admitted to being involved in the accident. The subsequent investigation revealed that Maffuccio, while driving his vehicle north bound on Holmes Road at a high rate of speed, passed a vehicle that was traveling in front of him in the area of the bridge just before Shetland Drive. The operator of that vehicle reported that Maffuccio had been following and “tailgating” him since they were on Route 7. The driver said that Maffuccio crossed the double yellow line and then passed him at a high rate of speed. A third vehicle, a van being driven south bound was nearly struck head on by Maffuccio’s vehicle. The operator of that van swerved, avoiding the head on collision, but Maffuccio’s vehicle still struck the front of the van. Maffuccio’s vehicle then spun out of control, struck the bridge, and went off the roadway into the woods. The van’s operator and other witnesses then saw Maffuccio’s vehicle re-enter the roadway and leave the scene.

A passenger in the van, Shaun Delmolino, a 50 year old Dalton resident, complained of injuries and was transported to BMC by ambulance. The extent of his injuries are unknown but are not believed to be life threatening.

Maffuccio was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. Maffuccio was arraigned in Pittsfield District Court.

Pittsfield Joins Opioid Lawsuit

The City of Pittsfield has joined a lawsuit against drug companies in response to the opioid addiction crisis. The Berkshire Eagle reports that according to Mayor Linda Tyer it costs the city nothing to join, but the attorneys will get 25 percent of any money won in the suit. Ward 6 Councilor John Krol said the civil action is "a long time coming." In joining the lawsuit, Pittsfield joins a growing list of cities suing pharmaceutical companies to cover costs spiraling from the opioid epidemic. Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn said that between overdoses, property crime and increased calls for service, it's impossible to quantify the epidemic's drain on the department’s resources. He called it a “game changer.”  The city’s attorney, Richard Dohoney, said the litigation's outcome could take many forms.

Moody’s Lists Berkshire Health Systems Outlook As Negative

Uncertainty over future labor costs facing Berkshire Health Systems could contribute to a lower bond rating according to Moody's Investors Service. The Berkshire Eagle reports that in its annual review of the nonprofit company, Moody's flagged long extended labor negotiations and a recent past strike as among reasons to list the company's outlook as "negative" instead of "stable." According to officials, the change didn’t alter the "A3" bond rating the company holds, but if the Moody's outlook worsens, it could lead to higher borrowing costs for the hospital. Darlene Rodowicz, Berkshire heath Systems chief financial officer, called it a warning sign.