Police in Massachusetts have arrested a man they say struck and seriously injured a teen who was about to board his school bus in a Monday morning hit-and-run.
Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon confirmed 28-year-old Robert Jacques of Lowell is being held on $50,000 bail. Jacques was arrested on an unrelated warrant, according to police
"When something of that magnitude happens you would think the individual would stop," Methuen Mayor Steve Zanni said.
Stunned classmates, drivers and neighbors came to the high schooler’s aid, before he was airlifted to Boston Children’s Hospital. Neighbor and substitute teacher Cheryl Cameron says it was a difficult day at school.
"I saw students coming in, they must have been on that bus, they were crying, so the guidance counselors did meet with them," Cameron said.
Police immediately began searching for the driver, first tracking down the white pickup truck and then this surveillance video of him parking it on Chase Street after allegedly striking a parked car.
"Through our investigation we learned that the truck owner’s son had an outstanding warrant for motor vehicle offenses as well as a suspended license," Methuen Police Capt. Randy Haggar said.
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Jacques of was eventually tracked down to Causeway Street in Boston, where he turned himself in to police.
"He is very remorseful and he is cooperating with us fully," said Captain Haggar, "He has a suspended license so he panicked and fled the scene."
A friend of the victim’s family says they’re with him at the hospital praying for a full recovery.
"Right now I guess it’s a broken arm, broken leg, ruptured spleen, so he’s going to be going into surgery sometime soon," said friend and neighbor Thomas Theriault, "For something like this to happen they’re pretty much numb."
The victim was last listed in stable condition.
Jacques, is scheduled to be arraigned in Lawrence District Court Tuesday. He faces several charges, including: leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident with serious bodily injury, two counts of operating negligently to endanger, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, failure to stop for a school bus stopped with red lights flashing, marked lanes violation and leaving the scene of accident with property damage.
