Fleeing Driver Hits Car and Hurt 4 Near Howland Rd in Fairhaven, MA

Fairhaven, MA (October 2, 2026) – A driver took off from a traffic stop on Wednesday, September 30, and left four people hurt. Moments before, an officer tried to pull over a vehicle near Bridge Street. When the officer stepped out of the cruiser, the driver sped away on Alden Road.

The vehicle then hit another car, a utility pole, and a residential fence near Howland Road. The driver ran from the vehicle afterward. The three passengers and the driver of the other car were taken to St. Luke's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Fairhaven Police are still working to piece together how the crash unfolded. 

We wish everyone taken to the hospital a steady recovery.

How Auto Insurance Can Apply When a Driver Flees in Fairhaven, MA

Massachusetts requires registered vehicles to carry compulsory auto insurance, and that package covers more than liability. It includes Personal Injury Protection, also known as PIP, which pays up to $8,000 in medical bills and lost wages no matter who caused a collision. Passengers can typically turn to the PIP on the vehicle they were riding in, while a driver generally looks to their own policy.

However, it is common that problems tend to start when the at-fault driver leaves or cannot be identified. Compulsory coverage in Massachusetts also includes uninsured motorist protection, with minimum limits of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. 

Depending on the policy and the facts, it may apply when a hit-and-run driver is never found. Insurers may look at whether a police report was filed and whether the other vehicle made contact, so those details are worth documenting early.

Massachusetts generally allows three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, though insurer deadlines for notice can be much shorter. In these cases, a car accident lawyer can review each policy, compare coverage limits, and ask an insurer to explain how it evaluated a claim.

If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident and aren’t sure how to proceed, our team at Fiorentino Legal, P.C. can walk through how Massachusetts insurance coverage may apply to your situation. 

You can contact Attorney Christopher Fiorentino of Fiorentino Legal, P.C., at (617) 990-2568 to talk through your case and learn more about your possible next steps. 

Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, Fiorentino Legal, P.C. has not independently verified all details of the incident reported. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Fiorentino Legal, P.C. so we can promptly review and update the content.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Fiorentino Legal, P.C. If you have been injured in an accident, seek appropriate medical care and consult a qualified attorney regarding your legal options. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual accident scene or individuals involved.