Published: 2/16/2021 8:26:00 PM
NORTHAMPTON — A felony charge is being brought against Maleaha Aquadro, a 25-year-old Florence woman who police say crashed into a police officer’s cruiser and sent them both to the hospital.
She will be arraigned on March 24 in Northampton District Court on charges including operating under the influence of alcohol (OUI) and reckless operation causing serious bodily injury, according to the Northwestern district attorney’s office. The OUI charge is a felony charge that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, the district attorney’s office stated.
Aquadro is accused of driving at approximately twice the speed limit at around 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 when she veered into the oncoming lane and crashed into the vehicle of Northampton Police Officer Matthew Knowlton.
Police said Knowlton’s radar check clocked Aquadro traveling at more than 70 mph in a 35 mph zone on Rocky Hill Road/Route 66.
Knowlton suffered a broken leg, cut himself out of his seat belt and climbed out of his window to aid the other driver, police said. Both she and Knowlton were hospitalized after the crash.
Aquadro’s lawyer, Michael McHale, declined to comment on the case on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Mary Carey, a spokesperson for the DA’s office, the crash is still under investigation by the Northampton Police Department.