Beverly Police arrested Diego Mattos-Vazualdo 47, of Essex, MA charging him with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident following Sunday evening’s crash.
Officers responded to 375 Rantoul Street at approximately 10:15 p.m. for a report of a female pedestrian that had been struck by a vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers observed a female victim and immediately began tending to her. The victim was transported to Beverly Hospital before being transported to Brigham & Woman’s Hospital via Medflight with serious injuries.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim walked into the street and was first struck by a vehicle travelling southbound. The operator of that vehicle remained on-scene and is cooperating with police. The victim was then struck by a second vehicle operated by Mattos-Vazualdo, who was travelling northbound.
Witnesses told responding officers that Mattos-Vazualdo stopped for a matter of seconds before fleeing the scene. Based on witness statements, a description of the offending vehicle was given to police and relayed to surrounding areas. Essex Police were able to stop a vehicle matching the given description.
Mattos-Vazualdo was transported by Beverly Officers back to police headquarters. He is expected to be arraigned in Salem District Court today. The investigation remains on-going by Beverly Police with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Crash Recon Team.
