NORTH SMITHFIELD – A woman who allegedly backed into a couple’s handicap accessible vehicle – and then drove off without providing her insurance information – was arrested last month at her job milking cows.
Hosanna Nystrom, 31, was charged with failure to stop for an accident resulting in damage following the incident, which reportedly took place in the parking lot of Lindy’s Tavern in January.
Police were called to the business at 5:50 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 and met with the victim, who said he was inside the vehicle parked in a handicap spot when a truck hit the passenger side rear door. The victim said the driver approached him and said she would get her insurance information but instead drove off, stopping on her way out to state that her vehicle did not collide with his.
The victim’s wife said she was leaving the restaurant via the outdoor ramp when the crash occurred.
In a report on the arrest, the officer noted that the victim uses an electric wheelchair and enters his vehicle through a ramp, which was on the side that was damaged.
“Due to the damage, the passenger door and ramp malfunctioned and (he) could not enter his vehicle through that side,” noted Patrol Officer Jarrod Tavares. “I was able to dissemble his electronic wheelchair and (he) had to manually lift himself into the driver seat, once he left the scene.”
Tavares noted he had to fill out statement for the victim due to his medical condition.
Using CCTV footage, officers were later able to watch the crash and trace Nystrom back to her seat at the bar. Management helped police by pulling the tab, which she’d paid with a credit card with her name on it.
Officers reportedly learned that Nystrom worked at the milking cows and visited the business, where they got her phone number from staff. Reached by phone, Nystrom said she was at Lindy’s but denied being in an accident.
Police drafted a warrant and returned to the milking barn in February to take Nystrom into custody on the misdemeanor charge. She then told police she left the scene because was frightened at the time by the victim’s behavior.
Nystrom received a 3rd District Court summons and was transported back to work. She is due back in court on Tuesday, March 31.
Totally disrespectful and disgusting treatment of a handicapped person. To damage the very door he needs to transport himself. Of being independent. Where has all this bad behavior come from?! Excuses.
Great job by the police in tracking her down. I hope Lindy’s bars her from ever being a customer there again…..it could have been a person she hit!