Raynham Police Department

by

Raynham Police Remind Residents of Upcoming Route 44, Route 24 Road Closures

Closures will be from Friday through Sunday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

RAYNHAM — Chief James Donovan would like to share a message from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) regarding the upcoming scheduled closure of Route 44 and Route 24 in Raynham this week for a bridge replacement project.

Route 24 North and South, in the vicinity of the Route 44 interchange, will be closed to install girders for the new Route 44 East bridge over Route 24 and to install a new gas main north of the bridge.

There will also be lane reductions on Route 44 and full closures of Route 24 on-ramps. Detour maps are linked below and can be found on the MassDOT website.

Route 24 northbound and southbound will be closed one at a time in the following sequence:

  • July 12 – Route 24 North closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
  • July 13 – Route 24 South closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.

The contractor is holding July 14 in reserve in case a back-up date is needed due to weather or other unanticipated issues.

While Route 24 North is closed:

  • Route 24 northbound through traffic will be bypassed up to and over Route 44 and back onto Route 24 using the interchange ramps.
  • The on-ramp from Route 44 eastbound to Route 24 northbound will be closed and detoured.
  • Route 44 eastbound and westbound will be reduced to a single lane in the vicinity of the bridge.

While Route 24 South is closed:

  • Route 24 southbound through traffic will be bypassed up and over Route 44 and back onto Route 24 using the interchange ramps.
  • The on-ramp from Route 44 westbound to Route 24 southbound will be closed and detoured.
  • Route 44 eastbound and westbound will be reduced to a single lane in the vicinity of the bridge.

The detour routes are listed and maps are linked below.

Route 44 Eastbound to Route 24 Northbound Detour

While the ramp is closed, eastbound Route 44 vehicular traffic heading toward Route 24 northbound will be detoured using town roadways. Signage will be in place directing vehicles to use the following route:

  • Continue onto Route 44 eastbound and take a right on Paramount Drive. Continue on Paramount Drive and take a left onto Route 44 westbound. Take the next right onto the on-ramp to Route 24 northbound. See the Route 44 Eastbound to Route 24 Northbound Detour Map 

Route 44 Westbound to Route 24 Southbound Detour

While the ramp is closed, westbound Route 44 vehicular traffic heading toward Route 24 southbound will be detoured using town roadways. Signage will be in place directing vehicles to use the following route:

  • Continue on Route 44 westbound past the exit. Take a right to travel onto South Street West. Follow South Street West and take a left onto Route 104. Take a left from Route 104 onto Route 44 eastbound. Take a right onto the on-ramp to Route 24 southbound. See the Route 44 Westbound to Route 24 Southbound Detour Map

Route 24 North Detour

While Route 24 northbound is closed at the Route 44 bridge, vehicles should take Exit 13A for Route 44 East. At the top of the ramp, cross over Route 44 onto the Route 24 North on-ramp. See the Route 24 North Detour Map

Route 24 South Detour

While Route 24 southbound is closed at the Route 44 bridge, vehicles should take Exit 13 for Route 44 West. At the top of the ramp, cross over Route 44 onto the Route 24 South on-ramp. See the Route 24 South Detour Map

The schedule for this major infrastructure project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.

Visit the project website, www.mass.gov/route44over24 for more information.

For project questions or comments, please email route44over24@dot.state.ma.us or contact Dan Fielding, MassDOT Highway Division Legislative Liaison, at 857-368-8959

###

by

Raynham Police Investigating Serious Motorcycle Crash

Raynham Police Department
Chief James Donovan
53 Orchard St.,
Raynham, MA 02767

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 17, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Raynham Police Investigating Serious Motorcycle Crash

RAYNHAM — Chief James Donovan reports that the Raynham Police Department is investigating a serious crash involving a motorcycle and a SUV Sunday night.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., Sunday, June 16, Raynham Police received multiple 911 calls reporting a crash near Walmart, 160 Broadway (Route 138).

Upon arrival Raynham Police and members of the Raynham Fire Department located the motorcycle driver, Michael Faria, age 36, of Taunton, who was seriously injured.

Faria was transported by a Raynham Fire ambulance to a medical helicopter in the parking lot of Walmart. He was then airlifted to Rhode Island Hospital with injuries that are believed to be life-threatening.

The driver of a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV that collided with Faria, Michael Harnden, age 39, of Rochester, was uninjured in the collision. Harnden remained at the scene and was cooperative with police. There were no other injuries reported in the incident.

The crash remains under active investigation by the accident reconstruction unit of the Raynham Police Department. The SUV and the 2009 Victory Vegas motorcycle were towed from the scene. A third vehicle was damaged by debris from the crash and was also towed from the scene.

The preliminary investigation shows that the motorcycle was travelling south on Route 138 and the driver of the SUV was travelling north. Harnden allegedly turned left to head into the Walmart parking lot when the motorcycle struck his vehicle, causing Faria to be thrown from the motorcycle.

The victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

###

by

*JOINT RELEASE* Raynham Police Department Charges Man who Led Officers on Pursuit

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 14, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Raynham Police Department Charges Man who Led Officers on Pursuit

Somerset Police Arrested Suspect at Somerset Motel

RAYNHAM — Raynham Police Chief James Donovan and Somerset Police Chief George McNeil report that a man has been arrested after leading a Raynham officer on a chase earlier this week.

KIE HENDRIX, AGE 32, OF BROCKTON was charged with:

  • Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Failure to Stop for Police
  • Failure to Stop/Yield
  • Operation of a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked License
  • Speeding
  • Marked Lanes Violation

HENDRIX additionally had four outstanding warrants for alleged drug crimes and motor vehicle violations. He will be arraigned in Taunton District Court at a later date on his Raynham charges.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., on Tuesday, June 11, a Raynham Police officer was on routine patrol on New State Highway (Route 44) when he observed a man driving a black 2009 Mercedes C300 sedan.

While stopped at a red light, at the intersection of Orchard Street and Route 44, the officer looked over toward the driver of the Mercedes, later identified as HENDRIX. HENDRIX turned his head and body in an abrupt manner, in an attempt to hide his face, and then quickly turned onto Orchard Street.

The officer continued on his patrol and noticed HENDRIX drive by twice in a short period of time. The officer then observed HENDRIX park at a gas station at the intersection of South Street West and Route 44. HENDRIX parked at the pumps but did not get out to get gas. Because HENDRIX was acting suspiciously, the officer pulled into the gas station parking lot. When he did so, HENDRIX allegedly fled from the parking lot onto Route 44 at a high rate of speed.

HENDRIX led the officer on a pursuit down Route 44, reaching speeds of over 60 miles per hour. HENDRIX drove through multiple red lights and was driving aggressively, at one point forcing another driver to veer to the side of the road.

Due to HENDRIX’S speed and reckless driving, and because the officer had the registration information on the vehicle, the pursuit was terminated.

Through a subsequent investigation, Raynham Police learned from Somerset Police that HENDRIX was known to frequent the Orbitz Inn, 537 Riverside Ave., in Somerset.

At approximately 8 a.m., on Wednesday, June 12, Somerset Police officers went to the Orbitz Inn and located the black Mercedes in the parking lot. HENDRIX was found in the lobby of the hotel and was placed under arrest for his outstanding warrants.

Through further investigation, it was confirmed by Raynham Police that HENDRIX was the man who led officers on the pursuit.

A criminal complaint was filed Friday morning in Taunton District Court for his charges out of Raynham.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

###

by

A Statement from Raynham Police Chief James Donovan

Raynham Police Department
Chief James Donovan
53 Orchard St.,
Raynham, MA 02767

For Immediate Release

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

A Statement from Raynham Police Chief James Donovan

RAYNHAM — Chief James Donovan issues the following statement to the community:

“On Tuesday, June 4, at approximately 3:30 p.m., school officials at the Laliberte Elementary School, 777 Pleasant St., requested assistance from the Raynham Fire and Police Departments for a child having a medical emergency. Upon arrival, a student on a school bus, which was stopped in front of the school, was in distress.

“School personnel, including the nurse on duty, immediately rendered aid to the student, and a Raynham Fire ambulance transported the student to a local hospital. The student was later transported by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital.

“The Raynham Police Department and Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School officials are currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether all proper protocols and procedures were followed on the bus.

“Because this incident involves a minor child who suffered a medical emergency, no further information will be released at this time.”

###

by

Raynham Police Arrest and Charge Man Following Drunk Driving Crash

Raynham Police Department
Chief James Donovan
53 Orchard St.,
Raynham, MA 02767

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Raynham Police Arrest and Charge Man Following Drunk Driving Crash

RAYNHAM — Chief James Donovan reports that the Raynham Police Department arrested and charged a man with OUI Liquor following a crash Monday afternoon, April 22.

CHRISTOPHER MARTIN, AGE 35, OF TAUNTON was charged with:

  • OUI Liquor
  • Reckless Endangerment of a Child (Two Counts)
  • Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle
  • Possession With Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug (Marijuana)
  • Marked Lanes Violation

At approximately 4 p.m. Monday, Raynham Police received a report of a head-on crash in the area of 1 East Britannia St.

Upon arrival, officers came upon a blue Chrysler Town and Country minivan and a red Honda CRV that had collided and were blocking the roadway. Traffic was diverted while first responders were at the scene.

Witnesses told police that the driver of the van, later identified as MARTIN, swerved into the opposite lane of traffic and struck the Honda SUV head-on.

Two children, ages seven and five, who were passengers in the van, were injured and taken by a Raynham Fire Department ambulance to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.

The driver of the Honda, an adult woman, was transported by an ambulance to Morton Hospital in Taunton.

The injuries sustained by the children and driver of the Honda are not believed to be life-threatening.

During the subsequent investigation and in speaking with MARTIN, officers determined that MARTIN had been driving under the influence of alcohol and placed him under arrest. MARTIN declined medical care at the scene.

In searching MARTIN’S vehicle, officers located and seized two empty “nip” bottles of vodka, an ounce of marijuana and a digital scale.

MARTIN was taken to the Raynham Police station to be booked. He was expected to be arraigned Tuesday, April 23.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

###

Raynham Police Department

James W. Donovan, Chief of Police

53 Orchard St.
Raynham, MA 02767

Business: 508-824-2716

Always Dial 911 in case of Emergency