Published: 7/25/2018 5:46:11 PM
GREENFIELD — Sgt. James Rode is suing a Charlemont woman for negligence and damages in connection with a January 2015 crash in which she allegedly turned onto Hope Street in front of his cruiser that had on its emergency lights.
The suit was brought forward to Greenfield Superior Court in January of this year and was first heard earlier this month.
Rode states in the civil case that the crash caused in excess of $2,000 in medical bills.
The case is scheduled for a pretrial conference hearing Oct. 5.
The suit’s complaint, written by his Foxboro attorney Zachary Ballin, argues the Charlemont woman was both negligent and careless in her operation of her vehicle.
The defendant disputes this claim and further argues in her documented response that Rode was “guilty of a violation of the law, which contributed to the alleged accident.”
She also states the injuries and damages alleged were caused at least in part by Rode’s “negligence, which was greater than any negligence” of hers. She also claims a third person was involved, for whom she is not responsible.
The case was filed Jan. 8 for motor vehicle negligence, personal injury and property damage. In the past seven months, the case has moved forward, with a response to the complaint filed May 8 and all motions filed by June 7. The case was heard on July 9.
In a separate case, Rode pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Greenfield District Court to charges of negligent motor vehicle homicide and speeding in connection with an October 2017 crash that killed a New Hampshire man.