Verizon Replacement Worker Accused Of Striking Picketer With Truck Held On $5,000 Bail
BOYLSTON (CBS) -- A Vermont man was arrested Tuesday morning after police say he struck a picketer outside a Verizon facility.
Kevin Goodale, 37, of Bethel, Vermont, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (vehicle), leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and operation with a suspended driver's license. He was held on $5,000 bail in Clinton District Court.
The incident occurred outside a Verizon facility on Shrewsbury Street in Boylston. IBEW Local 2325 Business Manager David Keating said about 5 protesters were picketing informally outside of the facility, without a police detail present. Verizon workers have been on strike for over a month over stalled contract negotiations.
Keating said Goodale, a replacement worker for Verizon, was trying to exit the facility in a pole-digging truck owned by a Vermont Verizon contractor, but picketers were blocking his way.
Boylston Police said Goodale struck picketer Anthony Davenport, 48, of Holden, knocking him to the ground. Davenport was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester with non-life-threatening injuries. Keating said Davenport landed on his hand and had to get stitches, and also hurt his back and hip.
Police said Goodale immediately left the scene after Davenport was struck, taking a co-worker's vehicle. They said he voluntarily returned to the Verizon facility, where he was arrested.
"Verizon is looking into the specifics as to exactly what occurred this morning in Boylston," said Verizon spokesman Rich Young. "We will continue our inquiry, as the safety of our employees and the public is of paramount concern."
Mass. State Police ordered the truck Goodale was driving out of service for mechanical reasons, and it was towed from the scene.
Last week, a Verizon replacement worker was charged with drunkenly driving into a picketer and police officer in Westboro.
Goodale is due back in court on June 2.