Charges Filed in Hit and Run CrashBy Susan Bush
12:00AM / Tuesday, June 28, 2005
North Adams- Police have charged a Clarksburg man with multiple offenses following an investigation into a June 28 hit and run accident.
Thomas Ferris, 51, of 691 Daisy Lane, is charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, negligent driving, failure to yield at an intersection, and a marked lanes violation, according to city police. Ferris is expected to be arraigned on the charges at the Northern Berkshire District Court at a future date.
Police Sgt. James Burdick said that the collision occurred at the intersection of Cliff and Union streets. Laurie Carnal, 49, of Pewaukee, Wisc., was riding a 2004 Harley-Davidson 1450 three-wheeled motorcycle when she was struck by a driver alleged to Ferris, who then fled from the scene. Carnal's husband Francos Carnal, 52, was was following his wife on his own motorcycle and witnessed the crash, but was not involved in the accident, police said.
"He was pretty traumatized, watching his wife get run over," said Burdick.
An off-duty North Adams Amubulance Service emergency medical technician was in the area and provided immediate medical assistance to Laurie Carnal, Burdick said. Police said that during the crash, Laurie Carnal was thrown from the motorcycle and her helmet flew off of her head. She was treated at the North Adams Regional Hospital for head injuries and numerous abrasions, and was released, police said.
Police launched an intensive search for the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash. City police were assisted by Massachusetts State Police and Clarksburg police officers, and Williamstown police Officer Michael Ziemba was called to the search accompanied by "Blue," a bloodhound trained as a search dog.
"The tracking dog did a fine job," said Burdick.
A city police department drug detection dog was also used during the search.
Parts of North Adams and Clarksburg, including Clarksburg's Wood Road area, were searched for about two hours, police said.
Burdick said that Laurie Carnal's three-wheeled motorcycle sustained extensive damage.
Laurie Carnal was taken to the North Adams hospital by the North Adams Ambulance Service.
The couple were part of a Harley Owners Group [H.O.G.]"posse run," which began on June 18 and involves traveling through all 26 states that are to the east of the Mississippi River. The motorcycle tour is known as the "eastern campaign;" in 2004, a H.O.G. posse run dubbed the "western campaign" toured the 22 states that are to the west of the Mississippi River. The runs do not include Alaska or Hawaii.
The Harley Owners Group claims an international membership of over 900,000 people.
Susan Bush may be reached at 802-823-9367 or by e-mail at suebush123@adelphia.net. This story contains updated information posted on June 30.
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