Driver charged in Malden home crash, killing dog had no license, police say
MALDEN - The driver accused of crashing his car into a home in Malden, hitting a man and killing a dog, didn't have a license, prosecutors said in court Friday.
Pierre Franzie, 36, of Fall River, was arraigned in Malden District Court on several charges, including failure to stop for police, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of property damage and failure to report injury to a dog or motorist. The judge set his bail at $500 and said if he's released, he's not allowed to drive.
The crash happened Thursday afternoon on Webster Street. Witnesses said a man was playing with his dog in the front yard of his home when the SUV swerved onto a sidewalk and smashed through a fence. It hit both of them before crashing into the side of a house. Both the man and dog were taken to hospitals but the dog did not survive.
"It sounded like a tree fell or something," said a neighbor who wanted to stay anonymous. "While backing the car out, he hit the dog."
"I had my head up against the wall, and all of a sudden it sounded like a tank was coming, and we both went forward and the whole house started shaking," said Ana Shackelford, whose bedroom is right behind the wall the vehicle hit. "He caused so much damage you know. He should've never gotten behind that wheel."
Assistant District Attorney Anna Taillon said Franzie ran from police, who caught up with him two blocks from the scene. "The officer drew his department issued firearm, in the backyard and with other residents the defendant attempted to try to climb over the fence," Taillon said.
He allegedly told police he was heading to a job interview and wasn't the one driving, telling police the driver ran away.
Franzie's defense attorney told the judge the crash was just a "tragic accident." "Mr. Franzie feels terrible about the outcome of this accident," said his defense attorney Danielle Brouder.
Outside court, Franzie's cousin told WBZ-TV he plans to post bail.