FAIRHAVEN — A Fairhaven man is arrested after striking multiple vehicles and then fleeing from the scene.

Fairhaven Police responded to the intersection of Weeden Road and Babbit Street just after 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon, after receiving reports of a motor vehicle accident involving a 2000 Honda Civic and a 2011 GMC SUV.

Prior to police arrival, the operator of the Honda, later identified as 51-year-old Raymond Pires, fled from the scene of the crash.

Pires quickly sped away from the crash, traveling on several streets throughout the neighborhood at a high rate of speed. At one point, Pires swerved his vehicle at a witness who was following him on foot. After swerving at the witness, Pires drove across the lawn of 13 Studley Street. He then drove back to the scene of the crash where he was detained by a construction crew that was working in the area.

When police arrived, they took Pires into custody without further incident. During the investigation, it was determined that the initial crash involved three vehicles. Pires, who was reportedly driving northbound on Weeden Road, swerved to avoid striking a vehicle traveling westbound on Babbit Street. As he was swerving, Pires struck the westbound vehicle as well as a 2018 Ford F-150, which was parked and unoccupied.

Pires, who lists an address of 10 Mark Drive, Fairhaven, was charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident (one count for each vehicle he struck), reckless operation of a motor vehicle, unlawfully attaching license plates, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, trespass with a motor vehicle and assault by means of a dangerous weapon for swerving his vehicle at the witness.

Pires was arrested and transported to the Ash Street Jail, where he was later released on bail. He was arraigned in New Bedford Third District Court this morning.

--Fairhaven Police

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