HANSON – Chief Michael Miksch and the Hanson Police Department would like to provide an update on the reported hit-and-run incident that occurred last week involving a bicyclist.
On Thursday, May 12 at approximately 5:50 p.m. Hanson Police responded to a reported hit-and-run involving a bicyclist. The male cyclist had suffered serious injuries and was taken by medical helicopter to a Burlington trauma center. The bicyclist remains in the hospital as of today, Saturday, May 14.
Hanson Police were provided with limited footage at the time of the incident that showed a small white crossover SUV striking a mailbox and child’s playset on the side of the road. With the assistance of the local media and citizens the vehicle was located. The operator of the vehicle, having seen their car on the local news, came to the Hanson Police Station early Friday morning.
The operator was cooperative with police. After interviewing the operator and examining the vehicle, it was determined that the vehicle was not involved with the crash of the bicyclist. The vehicle had damage that was consistent with striking the mailbox, but no other damage.
Further investigation allowed police to obtain more video evidence from other sources, which showed the mailbox hit-and-run occurred between 10 and 13 minutes prior to the cyclist being injured. The cyclist was seen on video passing the mailbox area on video after the white SUV had left the scene and a neighbor had removed the debris from the roadway.
Additional dashcam footage from a private citizen also shows the cyclist passing the area approximately 10 minutes after the SUV had struck the mailbox. The bicycle is an electric bicycle, capable of speeds up to 30 mph. The bicycle appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the crash. At this time, it appears the cyclist may have lost control and crashed.
“Law enforcement’s job is to seek the truth in all instances. In this case it is an important reminder that it is just as important to clear the innocent as it is to charge the guilty,” Chief Miksch said. “We thank everyone who came forward and offered assistance as we investigated the details of this incident, as well as the Massachusetts State Police Troopers from the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit and Troopers assigned to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz’s Office for their assistance during the investigation.”
The operator of the SUV will be summoned to Plymouth District Court at a later date for leaving the scene of an accident causing property damage. Their name is not being released at this time.
The incident remains under investigation by the Hanson Police Department. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call Hanson Police at 781-293-4625.
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