Crime & Safety

Woman Arrested after Head on Crash on Fort Hill Street

The suspect had admitted to having taken several medications before driving, including Oxycodone, Percocet and Klonopin. She had slurred speech and pin point pupils and caused a crash by crossing the center lines on Fort Hill Street.

The following information was submitted by the Hingham Police Department:


A woman was arrested on several charges after a head on crash that caused serious injuries to the other driver. The charges include felony operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury while reckless and child endangerment while under the influence because she was driving with a 3 year old.

The incident began Friday, January 18, 2013 at 1:57pm when a motorist called to report she was behind a vehicle that was operating erratically headed south on Beal St. The caller said the vehicle, a 1998 Chrysler Sebring, was “all over the road” and had crossed over the center line several times on Beal St. The caller continued following the Chrysler as it drove onto Fort Hill St. headed south.

While officers were responding to Fort Hill St. the Chrysler crossed over the center line and struck another vehicle head on in the oncoming lane.
After impact, which occurred in the northbound lane near #38 Fort Hill St., the front of the Chrysler caught fire. Witnesses, including two off duty Hull Firefighters who were driving by, stopped to help. Hull Fire Paramedic David Buckley assisted the Chrysler’s driver out of the vehicle, while Hull Fire EMT Brian Claffey removed a child who was in the backseat of the Chrysler. Although the second vehicle, a 2000 Nissan Maxima, was not on fire, witnesses also removed that driver due to its proximity to the flaming Chrysler.

Officers arrived and the Hingham Fire Department extinguished the fire in the Chrysler. Both drivers had been seat belted and both vehicles front air bags had deployed.

The driver of the Chrysler, 54 year old Marcia Blake, admitted to having taken several medications before driving, including Oxycodone, Percocet and Klonopin. She had slurred speech and pin point pupils. Officers observed no signs of alcohol use and determined she was under the influence of drugs.

She was injured and transported by ambulance to the hospital. Her only passenger, a 3 year old Hull girl, was properly secured in child safety seat in the back seat. The child did not appear to be injured but was also transported by ambulance to South Shore Hospital. The child, who Blake was babysitting, is a relative of to Blake’s. The child was examined and released to her mother at the hospital.

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The driver of the Nissan, 67 year old Charleen Phillips of Scituate, MA, was seriously injured and also transported to South Shore Hospital where she was admitted. She did not have any passengers.

The Chrysler’s driver, Marcia Blake (11-20-58), of 59 Rhodes Circle, Hingham, MA was arrested. After being treated and released from the hospital she was booked at the Hingham Police Department.

She was charged with:

1) O.U.I. (Drugs) 2nd offense 2) O.U.I. Drugs Causing Serious Bodily Injury and Reckless Operation 3) Child Endangerment While O.U.I. (child age 14 and under in vehicle) 4) Operating to Endanger 5) Marked Lanes Violation.

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The second offense is based on a prior O.U.I. (Alcohol) offense in Hanover in 1999.
Blake was released on personal recognizance by the Clerk Magistrate for arraignment at Hingham District Court on Tuesday, January 22.

Officers filed a request for an immediate threat for a license suspension for Blake with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Additionally, they filed report with the Department of Children and Families on behalf of the child.


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