Man Involved in Utility Pole Crash Faces More Charges

Massachusetts State Police used a helicopter to search for a driver and passenger after the April 13 crash. (Tanya King photograph).

A Haverhill man, recently accused of disorderly conduct and destruction of property in connection with a pickup truck crash into a utility pole on Marsh Avenue, is due back in court to face new charges after a warrant arrest Thursday night.

George Gardner, 34, of 10 Primrose Way, Haverhill, was taken into custody by Haverhill police at 5:06 p.m., Thursday, on Hale Street. Under warrants, he was additionally charged with assault and battery and threat to commit a crime.

As WHAV earlier reported, police identified Gardner as a passenger who, along with the pickup’s driver, allegedly fled on foot after the pickup they were traveling in around 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 13 collided, in reverse, into a utility pole on Marsh Avenue. Gardner was later apprehended at 7:44 p.m. on Main Street during a ground and air search which included a state police helicopter. He was later released on bail pending court arraignment on charges of disorderly conduct and destruction of property.

Police have yet to identify the pickup’s driver.

According to Haverhill Police Captain Robert P. Pistone, the driver struck two vehicles in traffic while traveling northbound on Main Street, then put the truck in reverse. The rear of the truck collided into the utility pole after reaching a speed between 40 and 50 miles per hour. The impact caused the pole to split and was suspended “across the road.”

In other police news:

Two Haverhill men are due to be arraigned in Haverhill District Court on drug dealing charges after their arrests Thursday night in a Bradford neighborhood.

Timothy Hayden, 60, of 10 Parkview Lane, Bradford; and Lawrence Jenkins, 58, of 2 Prospect St., Haverhill, were both arrested by Haverhill police detectives at about 10:35 p.m., Thursday, on Laurel Avenue. Each was charged with distribution of a class B drug and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Further details were unavailable by deadline.

A Haverhill man, accused of vandalism, is due to appear in court after his arrest by Haverhill police Thursday night.

Tommy Perez, 19, of 21 Essex St., Haverhill, was arrested at 8:56 p.m., Thursday, at 108 Main St. He was charged with a single count of defacing property.

A Haverhill man is due in court after being arrested Thursday night on a charge of being a fugitive from justice. Jonathan Sargent, 36, of 62 Washington St., Haverhill, was arrested by Haverhill police at 10 p.m., Thursday, at 61 Washington St