Pittsfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Car

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city resident Monday died after being struck by a car on Barker Road.
 
Shawn Oullette, 62, was hit mid-afternoon by a 2009 Lincoln Town Car driven by Ricco Dus, 85, of Pittsfield, according to a news release from the Pittsfield Police Department.
 
Both Dus and Oullette were traveling north in the area of 444 Barker Road, the news release said.
 
Oullette was taken to Berkshire Medical Center, where he died as a result of his injuries, police said.
 
Barker Road was closed to vehicles from South Mountain Road to Tamarack Road for about two hours while police investigated.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Police Officer Anthony Dayton at 413-448-9700, Ext 543.

Tags: fatal,   pedestrians,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories