Salem Man Charged in Crash that Injured Officers

A 23-year-old Salem man has been charged after police say his car left the road and struck two Ipswich police officers working a detail in Hamilton on Aug. 11.

According to Hamilton police, Angel Pouerietgeronimo was driving northbound on Bay Road when his vehicle left the roadway and struck Officers David Harrell and Zachary Bird who were standing in the driveway at 711 Bay Road.

Hamilton Sgt. Stephen Trepanier said the officers were standing by as utility work was completed in the woods off the side of Bay Road.

Police estimate Pouerietgeronimo was traveling in excess of 50 mph when the crash occurred. Trepanier said the speed limit in the area is 40 mph and Pouerietgeronimo told police he had been running late to an appointment.

The investigation revealed that Pouerietgeronimo was not using his phone at the time of the crash nor were drugs or alcohol a factor, Trepanier said.

Pouerietgeronimo has been charged with speeding, a marked lanes violation and negligent operation with personal injury.

Both officers were transported to Beverly Hospital with injuries. Harrell was treated and released that day, but Bird sustained extensive injuries to his lower extremities, according to an earlier press release. Trepanier said Bird is currently undergoing rehab in Boston.

Pouerietgeronimo was also transported to the hospital, but was soon released, Trepanier said.

Bird grew up in Hamilton, Trepanier said, and attended the Hamilton Citizens Police Academy as well as served as an intern at the Hamilton Police Department before joining the Ipswich Police Department.

“We have great optimism that he’ll be back at work soon,” Trepanier said.

Pouerietgeronimo’s license was suspended immediately after the crash as a result of statements he made to police, Trepanier said. It will remain suspended pending court action.

The Hamilton Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit investigated the crash.

Editor’s note: We added an extra letter to Pouerietgeronimo ’s name in the original article. The text has been corrected and we apologize for the error.