What started as a late-afternoon brawl outside a Southbridge community center ended with a 39-year-old woman in handcuffs, accused of using her car to go after a terrified teenager. Police say the woman, identified as Samantha Angers of Southbridge, was arrested after allegedly trying to use her vehicle to hit a teen during a disturbance last month. The teen later told officers she feared for her life. Officials said no one suffered serious injuries.
Southbridge officers were called at about 6:02 p.m. on March 24 for reports of a large fight at the Community Center on Morris Street. According to Boston 25 News, investigators say Angers took one juvenile into her vehicle and left the area, apparently to locate another teen involved in the earlier dispute.
Not long after, officers spotted a second juvenile running on Chestnut Street. Police say Angers' car was traveling at a high rate of speed, failed to stop at a stop sign, and repeatedly came very close to the teen as the juvenile tried to get out of the way. The teen told officers she "feared for her life." Angers was taken into custody after she stopped her vehicle.
She now faces a string of charges, including disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment of a child, assault with a dangerous weapon to wit a motor vehicle, contributing to the delinquency of a child, and an assault-to-kill charge. She was being held on bail pending arraignment, according to Boston 25 News.
Charges Could Carry Felony Penalties
Some of the counts listed in the report, including the assault-to-kill allegation and the claim that a motor vehicle was used as a dangerous weapon, can be prosecuted as felony offenses in Massachusetts and could carry years in prison if the Commonwealth wins a conviction. Massachusetts courts have addressed armed-assault and related statutes under G.L. c. 265 § 18 in earlier appeals and decisions, which treat armed-assault allegations as serious matters for prosecutors; see FindLaw for background on the statute and court rulings.
Police Response And How To Reach Investigators
Officers say they brought a secondary physical altercation under control at the scene and asked anyone with information or video of the incident to contact investigators. The Town of Southbridge Police Department lists contact information and ways to submit tips on its website; see the Southbridge Police Department page for details.
An arraignment for Angers is expected in Dudley District Court as the investigation continues. Police say the case remains open and they are following up on any leads.
