WESTFIELD–A crash Monday afternoon led to a broken fire hydrant and mailbox, as well as a West Springfield woman arrested.
At 3:30 p.m., Monday, police received a report of a red vehicle that struck a mailbox and hit a fire hydrant on Holyoke Road. Then, prior to police arrival, the vehicle–a Honda Element–had reportedly left the scene of the accident, heading toward North Elm Street.
About 10 minutes later, police receive a call from a bystander reporting that there was a vehicle on Union Street that appeared to be in an accident.
Police reported that the vehicle was a Honda Element, matching the vehicle described in the accident on Holyoke Road, and was reportedly operated by Rhonda L. Guevin, 42, of West Springfield.
Police reported that they talked to Guevin about the condition of her vehicle and noticed that Guevin was unsteady on her feet and had a strong odor of alcohol. According to police, Guevin told them that her vehicle was struck by another vehicle. However, according to police, the vehicle’s front bumper was missing and a bumper that matched the one missing from Guevin’s car was found at the scene of the accident at Holyoke Road.
According to police, when Guevin was questioned about the accident further she reportedly denied being at fault for any accident and informed police that if she hit a fire hydrant “red paint would be on her car from the hydrant” if she hit one. However, according to police, Guevin was never told of a fire hydrant being struck.
Police reported that Guevin was put through field sobriety testing on scene and she failed all tests. She was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of property damage.
