TIVERTON – Chief Patrick Jones reports that the Tiverton Police Department, along with the Fall River Police Department, has arrested a suspect involved in a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian.
On Sept. 13 Tiverton Police Detectives, along with Fall River Police Major Crimes Division Detectives, arrested Sakhorn Tieng, age 49, of Jefferson St., Fall River MA. without incident.
On Sept. 11 at approximately 6:45 p.m. the Tiverton Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to the area of 501 Bulgarmarsh Road for a report of a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival officers found 32-year-old Miles Hartnett of Tiverton unresponsive on the side of the roadway. Through the subsequent investigation, officers learned that Hartnett was travelling east on Bulgarmarsh Road in a Volkswagen sedan. Bystanders reported that Hartnett was being followed by an SUV, later determined to be a dark-colored Acura MDX.
Just before the intersection of Bulgarmarsh and Fish Roads, Hartnett stopped and exited his vehicle. The SUV, operated by Tieng, also stopped and then accelerated forward striking Hartnett. Hartnett was dragged by the vehicle for approximately 50 feet before being run over.
Utilizing multiple video surveillance sources and witness interviews, Tiverton Detectives were able to track Tieng’s vehicle to the Jefferson St. area. Detectives found Tieng’s vehicle in the driveway of his residence. The vehicle had visible damage consistent with the crash.
On Sept. 14 Tieng was arraigned in Fall River District Court charging him with being a FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE. He was ordered held without bail pending extradition to Rhode Island where he will be charged with FELONY ASSAULT and LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY.
Hartnett remains in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital.
Anyone who may have information on this incident is asked to contact the Tiverton Police Department at 401-625-6717. The incident remains under investigation by Det. Sgt. Joshua Pelletier, jpelletier@tivertonpoliceri.com, and Officer Michael Topazio, mtopazio@tivertonpoliceri.com .
The Tiverton Police Department would like to thank our law enforcement partners at the Fall River Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.