Police News: 2 Vehicle Fatalities in May, Lavin's Liquor Burglary, New Officer on the Way

WAYLAND, MA—In a letter from Wayland Police Chief Robert Irving to the Board of Selectmen, Irving stated, "The month of May was a tragic one in Wayland as two separate motorists died in crashes."

Irving cited a crash on May 6, in which a WAyland man was killed on Rice Road when his car veered off the road near Covered Bridge lane and struck a tree. He was lifefighted to Beth Israel Hospital, where he died a short time later. The case is under investigation by the Wayland Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team.

In the early morning of May 15, said Chief Irving, a 29-year-old Framingham man "was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle and struck a utility pole on West Plain Street. Police responded to the accident and officers performed C.P.R. on the man until the Wayland Fire Department arrived and took over treatment."

The cyclist was pronounced dead at Metrowest Medical Center. That case, too, is being investigated by the Wayland Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team.

In May, Wayland, along with many other departments across the state, participated in the "Click It or Ticket," campaign, which was implemented in 2012. The initiative has increased safety belt usage statewide from 51 percent in 2002 to 77 percent in 2014. During that time, said Irving, fatalities involving unbelted occupants dropped from 57 percent to 28 percent.

Irving, in his letter, added that detectives are investigating several cases that occurred during the month of May. Lavin's Liquor Store was burglarized on May 25, shortly after midnight, and cash was stolen. And on May 10, a piece of construction equipment valued at more than $50,000, was stolen from a job site in Wayland. The equipment was a Caterpillar skid steer or Bobcat. Detectives are continuing their investigation into these crimes.

Lastly, Irving indicated that a person has been selected to continue in the hirigin process toward filling a vacant officer position. Checks such as a background investigation are ongoing. Dispatcher Richard Freni was selected to be the Joint Communications Dispatcher Coordinator in May. This new position gives Rich the responsibility for scheduling, training and other administrative tasks within the J.C.C.