A 47-year-old Millbury man attempted to run from police twice in a U-Haul truck, according to the Shrewsbury Police Department.
Around 8:42 p.m. on Nov. 12, a Shrewsbury police officer saw a U-Haul truck in the parking lot of a CVS. The driver of the U-Haul had fled from Massachusetts State Police the night before, police said.
As the truck left the CVS and pulled onto Harrington Avenue, the police officer said there were multiple traffic violations. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the U-Haul wouldn’t stop.
“A rear unsecured door of the vehicle opened and various contents of the vehicle were falling out of the back as the officer pursued the vehicle,” police wrote in a statement on Facebook.
The police department attempted to use “Stop Stick” tire deflation devices on Boston Turnpike near the Shrewsbury and Northborough town line.
“The devices were successful in disabling the suspect vehicle’s tires, however the driver still continued to drive the vehicle,” the police department wrote.
The U-Haul eventually crashed into a utility pole near the Target in Westborough, which caused active power lines to come down and block Route 9.
Some police departments across the country, including the Dallas Police Department, have stopped using Stop Sticks due to the danger it causes to police officers, the public and those involved in the chase.
At least 19 police officers have been struck and killed by cars while using stop sticks in the past 10 years, the IndyStar reported.
Massachusetts State Police told MassLive earlier this year that officers have to assess the situation and make quick decisions in regards to the Stop Sticks.
“In determining the use of tire deflation devices, we balance the grave risk the fleeing suspect poses to other motorists and the surrounding community with the possibility that another vehicle could hit the sticks,” the department said in a statement. “This is a decision that must be made within seconds based on the information available at that moment.”
After the crash, police arrested the driver, Stephen Dupont. He was charged with failure to stop for police, assault with a dangerous weapon (motor vehicle), receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime (shoplifting), negligent operation of a motor vehicle and multiple civil motor vehicle infractions.
There were also two other people in the car who police did not identify. They will be receive a criminal summons for receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime (shoplifting).
