Springfield man arrested after Ludlow pursuit, crash

LUDLOW, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – A Springfield man is facing over a dozen charges after a pursuit and crash in Ludlow this week.

Ludlow Police said officers saw an SUV travel eastbound on Chapin Street Tuesday afternoon and crash into a mailbox.  After seeing the collision with the mailbox, the SUV then traveled approximately 15 miles over the speed limit. Police turned on their lights to try and pull the vehicle over, during which they reportedly saw the vehicle moving erratically.

The vehicle then collided with a second SUV at the intersection of Chapin Street and Sportsman’s Road and tried to leave the scene, but lost control and crashed into a bridge abutment on the other side of the intersection and became immobilized.  One person in the second SUV was taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Police explained that while they were speaking to the driver of first SUV, identified as 30-year-old Dayne Bennett of Springfield, a handgun was reportedly seen on floor on the driver’s seat.  Bennett was arrested without incident and an investigation found that the gun was loaded, as well as that he didn’t have a license to carry a gun or ammunition and his driver’s license was suspended.

Police added that Bennett allegedly became aggressive towards officers while he was being booked.  While they worked to de-escalate the situation, he reportedly injured an officer, which necessitated the officer being taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Bennett was arraigned on the following charges on Wednesday and bail was set at $20,000:

• Reckless operation of a motor vehicle
• Failure to stop for a stop sign
• Failure to stop for police
• Unlawful possession of a firearm
• Possession of ammunition without FID card
• Improper storage of large capacity firearm
• Possession of a large capacity feeding device
• Assault on a police officer (two counts)
• Leaving the scene of property damage
• Leaving the scene of personal injury
• Resisting arrest
• Assault
• Open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle
• Speeding greater than reasonable
• Marked lanes violation
• Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license
• Disorderly conduct
• Vandalize property

Ludlow Police noted that Tuesday’s incident was the second felonious vehicle pursuit this week.  On Monday, an officer pulled over a stolen car and, after initially stopping, the driver fled the scene and allegedly drove erratically at a high rate of speed toward the Mass. Pike.  Due to the speed and safety concerns for motorists on the Pike, the pursuit was called off.  Monday’s incident remains under investigation.

“These serious criminal acts illustrate the daily risk and danger that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis. I commend my officers involved with these cases and their perseverance in protecting our community,” said Ludlow Poilce Chief Daniel Valadas in a statement.