Salisbury car crash catches national media attention

July 23--SALISBURY -- Almost a week after a pickup truck driven by an allegedly drunken Amesbury man rolled over six cars and two boats before coming to rest against PNK Sales, the Bridge Road business remains closed.

But in the meantime, footage of the dramatic Friday night crash -- caught on the car dealership's surveillance camera -- has been played on television sets across the nation as the story was showcased on "Good Morning America" earlier this week.

"It's become a big story," Salisbury police Chief Thomas Fowler said, adding he spent much of yesterday fielding phone calls from media outlets across New England.

PNK Sales co-manager Joe Presuto said he was surprised by what has become a national story, adding that on first blush it seemed more like your "regular car accident."

Fowler said police are continuing their investigation into the crash that has led to drunken driving and negligent operation charges against 50-year-old Kevin Nash of Tuxbury Road. Nash was also charged with wanton destruction of property and a marked lanes violation. Nash was issued a summons following the Friday crash and awaits arraignment at Newburyport District Court.

According to police, Nash's large pickup truck was spotted by a Salisbury police officer around 10 p.m. pulling onto Bridge Road heading 80-90 mph northbound from Angelina's sandwich shop. The cruiser sped up in pursuit. Before the officer could activate his lights, Nash lost control of the vehicle near Tremblay Excavation and Trucking, and hit a pole on the side of the road. The force of the crash flipped the truck over and it continued rolling into the PNK parking lot.

In the footage caught by the business' security camera, the truck is seen flipping over violently as it enters the parking lot, striking the cars and boats. The scene is blurred by a tremendous amount of dust and debris kicked up by the crash. Within seconds, a Salisbury officer pulls up and gives help. (The footage is available for view on newburyportnews.com.)

Although he was wearing a seat belt, Nash sustained head, arm and neck injuries and there was some concern he suffered internal damage. He was extricated from the vehicle with the assistance of Salisbury firefighters and transported to Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport.

Yesterday, Presuto said the business remains closed as insurance adjusters complete their reports. Presuto showed spots where the truck left deep grooves in the parking lot, and a shattered glass front door. The truck was loaded with tools that shot out of the vehicle and acted as shrapnel as it tore through cars and other vehicles inside the lot. Damaged cars remained in the lot and yellow tape blocked both entrances.

Presuto said Nash came within a foot of perhaps taking the building down on top of him. The Bridge Road business has been part of the landscape for the last three years, with his partner, Tricia Kalil, owning the building for 12 years.

"It happens. The biggest thing is the guy is OK," Presuto said.

___

(c)2015 The Daily News of Newburyport (Newburyport, Mass.)

Visit The Daily News of Newburyport (Newburyport, Mass.) at www.newburyportnews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.