SPRINGFIELD — A traffic accident on Monday led to the arrest of a Springfield man after police found a loaded firearm in the aftermath of the crash.
At around 9:15 p.m., Springfield Police Officers responded to a collision at the corner of Fountain Street and Woodlawn Street, where 54-year-old Charles Hayes had struck a parked car.
A witness removed a firearm from Hayes’s vehicle before police arrived on scene at approximately 9:40 p.m.
Hayes, who lacked insurance and proper vehicle registration, also had prior felony convictions.
After receiving medical attention at the crash site, he was taken into custody and later transported to Baystate for further evaluation.
Upon release, Hayes was brought to Springfield Police Headquarters for booking and cited for the crash.
The charges against Hayes include carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of a firearm without an FID card, firearm violation with three prior violent or drug crimes, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
