Car Hits North Adams Light Poles, Building
 Photos by Tammy Daniels
Dean's Towing hauls away a Mazda that hit the building on the corner of Main and Marshall streets in North Adams. Below, the car sustained significant damage. NORTH ADAMS — An errant driver caused an estimated $10,000 in damage on Thursday afternoon after taking down two sidewalk lights and barreling into the brick facade of the former Roberts Co. building on Main Street.The driver, Richard Kelly, 40, of Pownal, Vt., was taken by ambulance to North Adams Regional Hospital, where he was treated and released. The crash is still under investigation by North Adams Police. Kelly was cited for negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Numerous callers reported the incident at about 2:30 p.m. Witnesses said the red Mazda Protege was heading north over the Hadley Overpass when it entered the southbound lane, smashed into the two ornamental lights in front of City Hall and careened through the intersection and between two light poles on either side of a sidewalk curb cut. It hit the building at the corner of Marshall and Main streets that will be the new home of the local Registry of Motor Vehicles but caused little damage. A few scrapes could be seen on the brick and a plate-glass window a few feet away appeared unscathed. The car, however, sustained significant damage to the front end and its back window was blown out. Parts of the car and broken glass were scattered at the scene and around the two toppled light poles across the intersection. Police, fire and ambulance personnel responded to the scene. Firefighters and city workers, including a street sweeper, picked up parts of the car, which carried a Vermont license plate. Fire Director Stephen A. Meranti, who is also the wire inspector, said the damage was about $10,000, including a traffic light that was also hit but still standing. Building Inspector William Meranti was called to check the building. Traffic was slowed but not detoured during the cleanup. Dean's Towing removed the car shortly before 3 p.m. Updated Friday afternoon. |
