DA: Victim pinned under car was 77-year-old Springfield man
SPRINGFELD — The dead man found pinned under a car on Shady Brook Lane on Friday was Robert Crane, 77, of Springfield, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni announced Wednesday.
Investigators say Crane was killed following an altercation with Joseph Vaughan, 68, of Springfield. According to an online listing, Vaughan is Crane's neighbor on Shady Brook Lane.
Vaughan was arraigned Monday in Springfield District Court on charges of murder, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Vaughan was ordered held in a state psychiatric facility without the right to bail. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 26.
A neighbor told police that he saw Crane hiding behind a light post; the witness told him to get in his car, but "(Crane) did not listen to him," the police report says.
Crane walked into the street and said, "You're a coward," to Vaughan, who was driving an SUV.
City police were called the 100 block of Shady Brook Lane at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, where they found a male victim under a car. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where he died. (Noah Hoffenberg / The Republican)Noah Hoffenberg / The Republican
Vaughan then ran Crane down and then reversed to hit him again, the witness told police.
The witness said, after the victim was hit by the car, Vaughan helped his wife out of the car, and they went back inside their home.
Crane's wife told police that Vaughan hit her with a car before he hit her husband, the police report says. She was treated for a head injury but not taken to the hospital, the report says. Court paperwork says that she is the victim in a case for which he faces charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Police found Crane pinned beneath the vehicle. He was freed and taken to Baystate Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Officers located Vaughan nearby and placed him under arrest.
District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni extends his condolences to Crane's family.
Stories by Jim Kinney
Read the original article on MassLive . Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
