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Pittsfield Man Struck, Killed by Tractor-Trailer
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A local man was killed Monday evening after being struck by a tractor-trailer on Route 8.
Ernest Millette, 73, of Pittsfield was pronounced dead on the scene in the area of 550 Cheshire Road.
At about 7:12 p.m., a 2019 semi-truck operated by Matthew Osak, 34, of Lee, was northbound and turning left into Unistress. Upon making the turn, the vehicle struck Millette, who was walking in the driveway.
Pittsfield Police and Fire, state police, Berkshire County sheriff deputies, and County Ambulance responded to the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by Officer Michael Silver of the Pittsfield Police Department Traffic Unit.
Adams Police Arrest Suspect in Val's, Racing Mart Break-ins
ADAMS, Mass. — Police say they have arrested a suspect in the burglaries committed at Val's Package Store and Racing Mart Gas Station early Sunday morning.
According to a statement from the Adams Police Department, officers responded to both Columbia Street businesses for what employees of the businesses reported as a breaking and entering that had occurred during the nighttime. Property was destroyed and money was stolen from both locations.
Night- and day-shift officers on Sunday, working with a detective, investigated the break-ins and arrested the suspect within hours.
The State Police Crime Scene Unit was called to assist in processing the scene, and officers also obtained video surveillance footage. Police said this footage showed a man who was known to the investigating officers conduct the breaking and entering and larceny within the business.
Officers quickly located him on Columbia Street, walking down the street carrying a television set that was stolen from a residence moments prior. He was arrested on multiple charges related to the break-ins and the active warrants already out for his arrest.
The defendant will be transported to Northern Berkshire District Court in North Adams on Monday morning for arraignment.
Adams Man Charged With Murder In Columbus Avenue Shooting
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams man has been charged in the murder of 32-year-old Stephanie Olivieri of Yonkers, N.Y.
Tyler Sumner, 25, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on a single count of murder on Monday.
He is being held at the Berkshire County House of Correction without bail.
Sumner was arrested in Adams on Saturday by Pittsfield Police, with assistance from Adams Police and North Adams Police. The charge is in connection with the Aug. 25 shooting on Columbus Avenue in Pittsfield that killed Olivieri.
Olivieri, a native of Pittsfield, suffered a single gunshot wound while sitting in a silver sedan near the intersection of Columbus and South John Street in the early morning hours that Sunday. Investigators do not believe that Olivieri was the intended target of the shooting.
This investigation has been led by the Pittsfield Police Department with assistance from the state police detectives assigned to the Berkshire District attorney's office and the Berkshire County Crime Task Force.
"I send my heartfelt condolences to the Olivieri family for their tragic loss," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said.
"I am exceedingly proud of this investigation. It has been highly collaborative with excellent leadership from PPD. The tireless efforts of the investigative team in the pursuit of justice for Ms. Olivieri cannot be overstated."
Olivieri attended the former St. Joseph's High and Pittsfield High and left her parents, a brother and two young children. Her family has started a GoFundMe.
Police Investigating Assault at Simon's Rock; College Cancels Classes
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Bard College at Simon’s Rock has canceled classes for the week as it deals with an assault on a student and the appearance of racist and anti-Semitic graffiti.
Police are investigating an assault that occurred on Friday at 2 p.m. on a wooded area of the campus. The victim was taken by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and treated for minor injuries and released, according to Great Barrington Police and district attorney's office.
The Berkshire Edge reports that the college community was apprised by email that "a student of color was physically assaulted on the Simon's Rock campus by an as yet unidentified assailant."
The email states that the decision was made by the senior college officials along with the Black Student Union and faculty. Instructors will be available on campus during their regularly scheduled classes and office hours.
Bard College is a top-ranked private liberal arts college with a small enrollment of about 400.
The assault is being investigated by local and state police units and the college's Campus Safety Office.
Williamstown Man Injured in Motorcycle Accident in Vermont
READSBORO, Vt. — A Williamstown, Mass., man was seriously injured early Friday afternoon when the motorcycle he was driving struck a guard rail on Route 100.
According to state police, Fran A. Rosasco, 74, was taken by medical helicopter to Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center as a precaution because of the severity of the injuries to his chest, knee and shoulder.
The 2003 Harley-Davidson that Rosasco was riding is considered totaled.
A report by Trooper Colin Shepley of the Shaftsbury barracks states that Rosasco was traveling with another motorcyclist north on Route 100 when he failed to make a lefthand turn in the road. His motorcycle stayed to the right, hitting the guard rail, and he was thrown off the bike.
The accident occurred just after noontime and about a mile south of Branch Hill Road. Conditions were clear and dry and temperatures around 70 degrees.
Northern Berkshire EMS of North Adams, Mass., was called to the scene and state police learned the helicopter had been requested prior to Shepley's arrival.
State police were also assisted on scene by Stamford and Readsboro Fire Departments, the Bennington County Sheriff's Department and Heartwellville Towing.
A traffic violation complaint is pending.
