Crime & Safety

Driver Charged With Negligent Homicide in March Crash That Killed Firefighter

A Massachusetts man was charged Wednesday in connection with the crash that killed Paul Simison.

The driver of a pickup truck that collided with a car on Old Mountain Road in March, killing the car's driver, turned himself in to authorities Wednesday to face a charge of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle.

Shaun M. Phelps, 29, of Southwick, MA, was also charged with a pair of motor vehicle infractions in connection with the March 28 crash which took the life of Paul Simison. 

Simison, 60, was a longtime volunteer firefighter with the engine company at fire station No. 2 on Ratley Road in West Suffield.

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On the day of the crash, Phelps was operating a Ford pickup truck around 8:15 a.m. when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck Simison's car head-on, killing him instantly, Police Chief Michael Manzi said.

The pickup truck rolled over upon impact, and Phelps was treated for minor injuries at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Manzi said.

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During the course of the investigation, Phelps admitted he had smoked marijuana prior to the accident, Manzi said.


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