Cohasset Police Department Responds to Serious Multi-Vehicle Crash on Route 3A

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COHASSET — Police Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department responded to a serious crash on Route 3A Tuesday involving a motorcycle and a motor vehicle.

At approximately 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, Cohasset Police and Cohasset Fire responded to multiple 911 calls for reports of a crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV at the intersection of Route 3A and Sohier Street. Callers were reporting the motorcycle operator was stuck underneath the SUV and had severe injuries.

First arriving officers aided the motorcycle operator while Cohasset Fire members used hydraulic tools to lift the SUV off the operator, who was identified as a 24-year-old Scituate man. He was treated on scene for life-threatening injuries by paramedics from the Cohasset and Hingham Fire departments.

He was transported to an area hospital by ambulance and later transferred to a Boston area hospital.

The driver of the SUV, a 58-year-old man from Dorchester, was transported to an area hospital with injuries that were not believed to be serious. 

The crash is under investigation by Cohasset Police and the Massachusetts State Police Crash and Reconstruction Section (CARS). No charges have been filed, and speed is not believed to be a factor in this crash.

A section of Route 3A between Lower King Street and Stop and Shop was closed for about three hours while police investigated the crash. Police from Hingham assisted with detouring traffic while crews were on scene.

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Cohasset Police and Fire Departments Provide Severe Weather Safety Tips Ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa

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COHASSET — Police Chief William Quigley and Fire Chief Robert Silvia, on behalf of the Cohasset Police and Fire Departments, are recommending that residents take the necessary safety precautions to prepare themselves for potentially serious storm impacts as Tropical Storm Elsa is forecast to impact New England late tonight into Friday.

Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to pass near/over southeast New England on Friday as a tropical storm. A Tropical Storm Warning is currently in effect for Norfolk County, indicating that tropical storm-force winds are expected within this area during the next 36 hours. Damaging winds and power outages are possible where Tropical Storm Warnings are issued. The peak wind forecast for Cohasset is 10-20 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

A Flash Flood Watch is also currently in effect across much of southeast New England due to the potential for flash flooding caused by heavy rainfall. Cohasset is expecting upward of 3 inches of rain.

Dangerous marine conditions are also expected across coastal waters with potential for rough surf and rip currents along the coasts of Massachusetts. These expected rip currents may linger into Saturday. 

Residents are reminded that the forecast can change quickly and at any point and they should monitor the local forecast throughout the day. Stay informed by receiving alerts, warnings, and public safety information before, during and after emergencies.

The Cohasset Police and Fire Departments suggest that all residents follow tips provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in the event of flooding:

  • Don’t attempt to drive through large puddles or on flooded roads, which could threaten your safety. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
  • If floodwaters rise around your car and the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
  • Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

MEMA recommends purchasing a generator to maintain electricity despite an outage. Generators should always be kept outside since they emit deadly carbon monoxide fumes that can quickly accumulate if indoors.

Additional safety precautions residents should follow include:

  • Not going out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible.
  • Checking flashlights and portable radios to confirm they’re working.
  • Fully charging your cell phone, laptop and any other devices before the storm.
  • If you own a car, making sure its gas tank is at least half full in the event you need to travel. Purchase a car phone charger so that you can charge your device if you lose power at your home.
  • Ensuring that you have an emergency kit that has basic medicine and bandages.
    • Include disinfectants, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies that you may need in an emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Setting your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator or freezer door.
  • Preparing your home by securing or bringing in outdoor objects (patio furniture, children’s toys, trash cans, etc.) that could be swept away or damaged during strong winds or flooding.
  • Being prepared by packing a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don’t forget to include needed medications and any valuable personal belongings.
  • Being a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions and those who may need additional assistance.

After a storm passes through the area, residents should remain cautious. Heavy rain and strong winds can cause a multitude of problems like power outages, fallen debris and floods that often block roads and emergency vehicles, prolonging damage.

  • Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies, including downed power lines and gas leaks.
  • Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live.
  • If your power is out, follow MEMA’s power outage safety tips. Report power outages to your utility company. Do not call 9-1-1 to report an outage or to ask about power restoration.

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Cohasset Police and Fire Departments Remind Residents that Fireworks are Illegal Statewide

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COHASSET —  With the Fourth of July holiday fast approaching, Police Chief William Quigley and Fire Chief Robert Silvia, on behalf of the Cohasset Police and Fire Departments, would like to remind residents that the recreational use of fireworks in Massachusetts is illegal.

According to the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal, fires started by fireworks increased by 180% in 2020 and complaints to local police departments increased significantly as well. In the past decade (2011-2020), there have been 941 major fire and explosion incidents involving illegal fireworks reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS). The incidents caused 12 civilian injuries, 42 fire service injuries, and an estimated dollar loss of $2.1 million, which is high considering most fireworks fires are outdoor brush fires.

This year, state and local law enforcement agencies will be ramping up their efforts to stop illegal firework use and sales in Massachusetts.

The possession, use and sale of fireworks without a professional license is against the law in Massachusetts, and punishable by confiscation, fine or imprisonment. Fines range from $100 to $1,000, and some violations could carry a one-year prison sentence.

In order to cut down on residents purchasing fireworks in other states and transporting them back to Massachusetts, members of the State Police will begin targeted patrols along state lines to enforce fireworks laws. Residents are also reminded never to purchase fireworks by mail — the government cannot prohibit the advertising and sale of fireworks by mail, but police do confiscate illegal shipments of fireworks. Many consumers attempting to circumvent the law have lost both their money and their fireworks.

“It is imperative that adults use sound judgement and make smart decisions by not purchasing or using illegal fireworks this Fourth of July,” Chief Silvia said. “Not only for their safety, but to set a good example for children and to keep their families safe.”

Due to fires and explosions involving illegal fireworks and injuries resulting from these incidents and more, the Fourth of July is usually a busy time for firefighters, as they are supervising professional fireworks shows and responding to all types of fires and medical emergencies.

“Fireworks displays can be a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July, but firefighters, police officers and medical professionals ask residents to please leave the fireworks to the professionals and not try to put on their own backyard displays this year,” Chief Quigley said.

Residents are encouraged to report any misuse of fireworks they notice in their community to the Cohasset Police Department at 781-383-1212. In case of a firework-related or other emergency, always dial 911.

The Cohasset Police and Fire Departments wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July!

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Cohasset Police and Fire Departments Respond to Serious Motor Vehicle Crash on Route 3A

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Road Was Closed for 90 Minutes While Crews Were On Scene

COHASSET — Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department responded to a serious motor vehicle crash on Route 3A this afternoon.

At approximately 2:05 p.m. Thursday, members of the Cohasset Police and Fire Departments responded to a report of a crash on Route 3A just south of Stop and Shop Plaza.  

Upon arrival, officers observed a 2016 Lincoln pick-up truck with heavy damage that had been driven off the road and collided with a tree. The operator of the truck, a 51-year-old Acushnet man, was pinned inside the vehicle and unable to move.

Crews from Cohasset Fire, along with an ambulance from Scituate Fire, arrived and began the process of extricating the driver using hydraulic rescue tools, which took more than 40 minutes.

Witnesses on scene stated that the truck was travelling northbound at a normal speed on Route 3A when the driver suddenly veered into the southbound lane, clipping a 2014 Toyota Highlander that was being operated on the southbound side of the road. The truck continued into the woods, striking a large tree.

The driver of the truck was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries that are believed to be serious but non-life-threatening. The driver of the Toyota, a 50-year-old female from Scituate, was uninjured. 

Both vehicles were totaled in the crash.

Route 3A was closed for more than 90 minutes while crews worked the scene. The crash remains under investigation by Cohasset Police, and no charges have been filed at this time.

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