A routine afternoon at a Chelmsford medical office turned serious Wednesday when a woman was struck by a car in the parking lot, leaving her with significant injuries, police said. First responders brought her to Lowell General Hospital, and she was later flown to Lahey Clinic in Burlington for additional treatment. The driver took off, but authorities say he was tracked down and arrested late Wednesday night, as per WCVB.
Officers responded to 228 Billerica Road around 3:30 p.m. after reports that a person had been hit outside the Atrius Health medical building. Police identified the driver as 37-year-old Steven Mullen of Clinton. He was located in Lowell on Wednesday night and taken into custody. Investigators later found his vehicle, which had major front-end damage, parked behind a tire-and-tune-up garage on Boston Road in neighboring Billerica. The crash remains under investigation, according to WCVB.
Speed and Pedestrian Safety
Impact speed is one of the clearest predictors of whether a pedestrian survives a crash. Regional planners note that a person struck at 20 mph has roughly a 90 percent chance of survival, while the odds drop sharply as speeds climb. The Boston Region MPO's review of Vision Zero strategies urges communities to focus on managing speeds and rethinking roadway design to limit serious injuries on local streets. Measures such as lower speed limits and physical traffic-calming features are frequently cited as tools that can reduce the severity of crashes in travel lanes and parking areas, according to the Boston Region MPO.
Charges and Arraignment
Police charged Mullen with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person 60 or over, speeding, and leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, among other counts. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Thursday morning, authorities said. Investigators have not released further information about the victim's condition as they continue to gather evidence, according to WCVB.
What the Charge Means
Under Massachusetts law, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person 60 or older is a felony that can carry a sentence of up to ten years in state prison or a fine, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders. The crime is defined in M.G.L. c. 265, § 15A, which provides specific protections for older adults.
