NEWS

Ludlow Police Reopen Stretch of Center Street Closed After Crash

January 28, 2025 by Sean Smyth

Chief Daniel Valadas reports that the Ludlow Police Department has reopened a portion of Center Street after a crash Monday caused its closure.

On Monday, Jan. 27, at approximately 4:48 p.m., the Ludlow Police Department was called to the area of Center Street for a report of a crash. Officers arrived to discover a crash involving a utility pole.

No serious injuries were reported. Center Street was closed between Miller and Church streets but is now reopened.

The crash remains under investigation.

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Ludlow Police Responding to Crash on Center Street, Ask Residents to Find Alternate Routes

January 27, 2025 by jgprrobert

LUDLOW — Chief Daniel Valadas reports that the Ludlow Police Department is responding to a crash on Center Street and asking residents to find alternate routes around the area.

No serious injuries have been reported. Center Street is closed between Miller and Church streets. At some point in the evening police expect to open one lane of the road for traffic to get by.

Drivers are asked to find alternate routes around the area if possible.

Ludlow Police Arrest Springfield Man with 19 Charges Following Motor Vehicle Pursuit Tuesday, Second Incident in One Week

January 17, 2025 by Payton Hebert

LUDLOW — Chief Daniel Valadas reports that the Ludlow Police Department arrested and charged a Springfield man with 19 counts including multiple motor vehicle offenses and unlawful possession of a firearm following an incident on Tuesday afternoon.

DAYNE BENNETT, AGE 30, of SPRINGFIELD, was arrested and charged with:

Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Failure to Stop for a Stop Sign
Failure to Stop for Police
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
Possession of Ammunition Without FID Card
Improper Storage of Large Capacity Firearm
Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device
Assault on a Police Officer (two counts)
Leaving the Scene of Property Damage
Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury
Resisting Arrest
Assault
Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle
Speeding Greater than Reasonable
Marked Lanes Violation
Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
Disorderly Conduct
Vandalize Property

On Tuesday, Jan. 14, at about 2:20 p.m., Ludlow Police parked in the police station parking lot, 612 Chapin St., observed a gray Acura MDX traveling eastbound on Chapin Street crash into a mailbox.

After colliding with the mailbox, police observed the vehicle drive away approximately 15 miles over the area’s posted speed limit. Police activated their emergency lights to conduct a motor vehicle stop.

While attempting to pull the vehicle over, officers observed the Acura driving erratically.

The Acura then collided with a Honda Pilot at the intersection of Chapin Street and Sportsman’s Road. The Acura attempted to drive away following the collision but lost control before crashing into a cement bridge abutment on the other side of the intersection. At this point, the airbags in the Acura deployed, immobilizing the vehicle.

The Honda Pilot suffered significant damage as a result of the collision, and one of the occupants of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries that are believed to be non-life threatening.

While officers were speaking to the operator of the Acura, identified as BENNETT, they observed a handgun on the floor of the driver’s seat. This is the second firearm Ludlow Police has seized in the last two months.

BENNETT was arrested without incident.

An initial investigation determined that the gun was loaded at the time of the incident. Further investigation determined that BENNETT did not have a license to carry a firearm or ammunition and that his driver’s license had been suspended.

During the booking process, BENNETT became aggressive toward officers. While officers were attempting to de-escalate the situation, BENNETT caused injury to an officer that required them to be transported to a local hospital for further evaluation of injuries believed to be minor.

BENNETT was arraigned in Palmer District Court on Wednesday, where it was determined he would be held on $20,000 bail.

As a result of this incident, there were significant traffic delays in the area, including school buses and parent pick-up of students. Chief Valadas would like to thank the community for their patience and cooperation, which allowed the police to properly process and clear the scene.

This is the second incident in one week involving a felonious motor vehicle pursuit. On Monday, Jan. 13, a Ludlow Police Officer made a stop of a stolen 2025 BMW Sedan with two occupants. After initially stopping, the driver fled the scene and headed towards the Massachusetts Turnpike, driving erratically at an extremely high rate of speed. Due to the driver’s dangerous speed and the threat to motorists on the turnpike, Officers had to discontinue pursuit of the vehicle. The incident remains under investigation by Ludlow Police.

“These serious criminal acts illustrate the daily risk and danger that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis. I commend my officers involved with these cases and their perseverance in protecting our community,” said Chief Valadas.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

*Officers found a loaded handgun on the floor of the vehicle **BENNETT** was operating. (Photo Courtesy Ludlow Police Department).*

**BENNETT** was observed driving erratically by police, causing three collisions before his vehicle was immobilized in the area of Chapin Street and Sportsman’s Road. (Photo Courtesy Ludlow Police Department)

Ludlow Police to Participate in ‘Drive Sober Get Pulled Over’ Campaign This Holiday Season

December 9, 2024 by Kayla Rochon

LUDLOW — Chief Daniel Valadas is pleased to share that Ludlow Police Department is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remind drivers to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over this holiday season.

NHTSA and local law enforcement agencies are launching a high-visibility impaired driving awareness campaign that runs from Dec. 11 through Jan. 1, 2025, and want all drivers to remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. In support of law enforcement’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, drivers will see officers working together during the holiday season to take drunk drivers off the roads.

This initiative is part of the Winter Impaired Driving Campaign, which is active throughout December. Ludlow Police will have extra patrols throughout the month to detect and apprehend drivers and operators who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The additional patrols are funded through a portion of a $20,000 Municipal Road Safety Grant through the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research. The grant was awarded to Ludlow Police to staff extra patrols for six national traffic safety campaigns throughout the year, with December being the first of these campaigns.

Alcohol-impaired driving is deadly and continues to be a factor in fatal traffic crashes in the United States, especially during the holidays. During the 2018-2022 December months, there were 4,759 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. In December 2022 alone, 1,062 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Unfortunately, males and young people are at greatest risk for injury or fatality: In December 2022, drunk male drivers were involved in fatal crashes at a much higher rate (22 percent) compared to female drivers (16 percent), and young drivers ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (25 percent) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes.

Drivers should remain safe during the holidays by planning ahead if they intend to drink. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get somewhere, as being under the influence of alcohol or other substances can cloud a person’s judgment. Individuals should secure a designated sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare service to ensure they get home safely. Those who are designated drivers should refrain from consuming alcohol or other substances.

Community members should also look out for their friends and family by ensuring they have a sober ride home, and by not letting them get behind the wheel while impaired.

Residents and community members are reminded to contact Ludlow Central Dispatch if they observe an impaired driver on the road.

Over the past 10 years, Ludlow Police has seen an increase in impaired driving, including a 100 percent increase in driving under the influence of drugs and a 50 percent increase in drunk driving.

“Drunk driving is illegal and deadly and no one should get behind the wheel if impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said Chief Valadas. “We want our community to have a fun-filled holiday season, but also want residents to be responsible, use sensible judgment, and remain safe, and that means refraining from drinking and using impairing substances before or while driving. Make the right choice for a safe and sober ride home.”

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

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Ludlow Police Department Offers Safety Tips for National Seat Belt Day

November 14, 2024 by Kayla Rochon

Nov. 14 is National Seat Belt Day, which reminds people of the importance of buckling up when riding in or driving a vehicle. Seat belts are easy to take for granted, but they make a massive difference in the event of a motor vehicle crash.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, properly wearing a seat belt in the front seat can reduce fatalities in the event of a crash by 45% and prevent moderate-to-critical injuries by 50%.

It is the law to use seatbelts, especially for children under 13 (MGL C90s7AA)

For additional safety tips and more information on National Seat Belt Day, visit the NHTSA: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/seat-belts.