Man charged with negligence in Crapo Hill incident

Frank Pinto, 60, of New Bedford has been charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle following an incident that occurred at the Crapo Hill Landfill on Wednesday, Nov. 12 that sent a Town of Dartmouth employee to the hospital. 

The charges mean that Pinto allegedly operated a vehicle in a public place in a negligent way, potentially endangering people’s lives. 

The victim worked for the Department of Public Works for the town of Dartmouth. The town is keeping their identity private in respect for the family.

The victim's arm was severely injured in the incident, according to a police report. They were transported to Rhode Island Trauma Center and are now in stable condition after a number of surgeries.  

Two vehicles are suspected to have been involved in the incident; a 114SD Freightliner and a Mack Granite truck. 

The police were able to get statements from both the victim and Pinto, who is cooperating with the investigation. 

The victim told police they had parked their truck to release the latch for a dumpster when the freightliner backed into their truck, trapping their arm between.

Pinto stated he started to reverse after uncovering a load of materials and hadn’t seen the truck until “I was right next to him,” according to the police report.

He stated he didn’t see the victim until after exiting his vehicle, at which point he began first aid. 

Pinto had checked the driver's side rear mirror but not the passenger’s side rear mirror, which police confirmed was the only mirror that would have shown the victim or the truck.

Police stated that if he had checked both side mirrors before reversing, Pinto would have been able to see the victim and the truck and avoided the collision.  

The freightliner’s backup alarm was in working order, and the victim was wearing a yellow safety vest, according to the police report. 

Town Administrator Cody Haddad stated that the victim and their family will be in the town’s “thoughts and prayers.”