Police: No Charges Against NH Motorist in Pedestrian Accident

(File photograph)

Haverhill police do not believe speed was a factor in a motor vehicle accident involving two pedestrians Saturday evening at 174 River St.

No injuries were reported and no charges were filed after a 2003 Dodge driven by Todd Degryse, 40, of Hudson, N.H., traveling west on River Street, struck Luis A. Ledesma, 35, of 26 Wilson St., Unit 1, Haverhill. Ledesma and Jennifer L. Ratcliffe, 31, of 33 Leroy Ave., Bradford, crossed onto River Street from behind a car. The impact pushed Ledesma against Ratcliffe and both fell to the ground, according to a police report obtained by WHAV.

Degryse told police that even though his vehicle was traveling under the speed limit, he slammed on the brakes but wasn’t able to stop in time. An investigator refuted claims by both pedestrians that Degryse exceeded the speed limit.

“Neither party had any visual marks on their person,” wrote Haverhill Police Patrolman Branden Sheehy. “With the injuries sustained and the speed limit being 35 miles per hour it does not appear as if (the vehicle) was speeding.” Police officials blacked out portions of the accident narrative before releasing it to WHAV.

Two female passengers were seated in the rear of Degryse’s vehicle when the accident happened.

In other public safety-related news, Haverhill police charged a Lowell man with assault and battery at 70 Broadway after an investigation of an incident.

Mark Fichera, 45, of Lowell, is scheduled to appear in Haverhill District Court after his arrest Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Police declined to release additional details, citing the nature of the incident.

Warrant arrests:

Yvette Sydnor, 46, of 61 Marshland St., Haverhill, was arrested Tuesday at 11:14 a.m., at 10 Reed St., related to refusal to provide a DNA database sample.

Esmaden Santiago, 21, 14 Granite St., Haverhill, related to larceny over $250 and destruction of property, 40 Bailey Boulevard, Monday at 9:38 p.m.