Two Pedestrians Struck on West Main Street in North Adams

Tenisha Bessette, 23, and Daryl Boutin, 24, were struck from behind by a black 1999 Ford F-150 driven by Joshua Piantoni, 35, according to police. 

 

Sgt. James Burdick said Piantoni was eastbound on West Main when he "veered off the roadway onto the sidewalk, striking from behind."

 

Bessette and Boutin, both of North Adams, were immediately transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield with "multiple injuries." 

 

Piantoni, also of North Adams, was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, second offense; negligent operation, and a marked lanes violation. He was released on bail later in the evening and is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday morning. 

 

The accident occurred near 353 West Main St. at about 5:26 p.m. The Ford suffered some front-end damage, including dents on the hood where at least one of the pedestrians landed. It was taken away by Dean's Towing.