May 27, 2007 7:16 pm US/Eastern
SUV Fleeing Police Hits Taxi, Leaves 1 Dead
SOMERVILLE (WBZ) ―
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State police were chasing the SUV moments before it crashed into the taxi in Somerville.
WBZ
An SUV being chased by State Police crashed into a taxi early Sunday morning in Somerville leaving one person dead.
It happened on Highland Avenue near Kidder Avenue around 1:30 a.m.
A spokesman for the Middlesex County District Attorney's office told WBZ it was a high-speed chase. According to state police, the person in the SUV, Javier Morales, 29, of Somerville, was driving through Everett. when he was ordered to pull over for motor vehicle violations. Morales allegedly refused to stop for state police and led officials on a chase into Somerville.
A short time later, Morales slammed into a cab that was stopped on Highland Road. Paul Farris, 23, of Medford, was found outside the cab after the crash. Police say he was taken to Somerville Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. "This driver's recklessness led to the tragic death of the young victim, Paul Farris," Middlesex District Attorney Gerard Leone said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family and friends, and we continue to investigate the circumstances of this crash."
The SUV smashed the side of the cab. Farris may have been trying to get out of the cab at the time of the accident. Farris graduated from Tufts University in 2006 and is originally from Minnesota. He was the lead singer of a Boston-based band called "The Mark."
The driver of the cab and another person inside the cab were taken to Mass. General Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. "The cab was destroyed," said Debbie Reid, who lives in the neighborhood.
"You couldn't even tell if there was anybody even in the cab."
Morales and the passenger in his SUV were also taken to Mass. General to be treated for their injuries.
Neighbors surveyed the damage from the crash and are wishing they could have done more. "Terrible story," said Nate Soron. "Obviously these people that were taking the cab were trying to do the right thing, and they got the worst of it."
Sources say Farris lived near the crash scene until very recently and was back in the neighborhood visiting friends.
Police say Morales has been charged with motor vehicle homicide and will be arraigned on Tuesday.
The details of the crash are still under investigation. State police chase will also be looked into.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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