Local News

Cape teen driver to be charged following fiery crash that injured 5

Police say the car was going about 80 mph before the crash.

November 20, 2024

2 minutes to read

The 18-year-old driver from Brewster who crashed in Harwich Monday evening, injuring five people, will be charged, local police say.

According to a press release from the Harwich Police Department, Officer Jessica Ferreira was parked on Queen Anne Road observing traffic when, around 10:45 p.m., she saw a BMW pass by at a high rate of speed.

Ferreira observed the BMW going around 70 mph and accelerating in speed once it passed her.

Officer Thomas Griffiths was stationed a short distance down Queen Anne Road and heard the vehicle accelerate and pass him, going around 80 mph, police said. The officer pulled out to attempt to get behind the BMW but lost sight of it due to its speed.

When Griffiths approached the area of 357 Queen Anne Road, he saw the car had crashed into the woods and was on fire, according to police. As he approached the vehicle, he found four occupants already outside while a teenage girl remained trapped in the back seat.

The officer retrieved his fire extinguisher, knocked down some flames, and pulled the teenager out of the car.

When Ferreira arrived on the scene, she helped drag the injured teens away from the car. Griffiths applied a tourniquet to the leg of one of the teens, and both officers continued to offer care as they waited for first responders to arrive.

The teens ranged in age from 15 to 18 years old. Three of the teens were taken by first responders to Cape Cod Hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, and two were taken by medical helicopters to Mass General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police did not release the names of the driver or passengers.

The crash remains under investigation by Harwich police.

“There is no doubt in my mind that there would be at least one fatality in this crash if it was not for the quick actions and bravery of Officer Griffiths in removing the victim from the burning car,” Police Chief Kevin Considine said in a statement. “Both Officer Griffiths and Officer Ferreira recognized the danger and provided immediate care to both occupants who were facing life-threatening injuries.”

“Both are to be commended for their actions in saving a life,” he continued.