Darren C. Moran, 27, the suspect in a February 20 single-car crash near 144 North Avenue in Rochester that critically injured a pedestrian, was arraigned on Monday afternoon at Wareham District Court and was being held in custody pending $10,000 bail.
Charges include leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in injury and for assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon.
According to the police report, the operator of the vehicle that struck the female pedestrian went off the road and crashed. The operator fled the scene by foot. Rochester Police were searching on Monday for Moran after further investigation yielded an arrest warrant.
The Rochester Fire Department reported having been dispatched to the area at approximately 1:30 pm on Saturday, February 20. Paramedic Josh Anacki and Firefighter/EMT Andy Weigel were the first to arrive in Ambulance 207. They learned from the injured patient that she had been struck by the vehicle, not ejected as had been originally considered, then the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed before fleeing on foot.
A Medflight was requested. Rochester Fire reported that the helicopter happened to be within five minutes of Rochester’s landing zone. The paramedics stabilized the patient, who had suffered severe injuries to her lower extremities and pelvic areas before being flown to Rhode Island Hospital.
The Medflight is estimated to have cut the transport time to Rhode Island Hospital from 45 minutes down to 20 minutes or less.
Rochester Police publicly credited officers Jason D. Denham and Robert Nordahl, Sergeant Shaun Peterson, and Detective Donald Kemmett for their effort in conducting a detailed investigation, and also thanked Plymouth County BCI, K-9 and Acushnet Police as well as Rochester residents who assisted investigating officers.
By Mick Colageo