Vermont man faces 11 charges in Greenfield crash

GREENFIELD — The driver involved in a head-on crash on Route 2 that resulted in serious injuries to four Rhode Island residents, including two children, Sunday afternoon allegedly admitted to police officers he had used drugs prior to the collision.

Javery A. Hattat, 32, of Bennington, Vermont, pleaded not guilty in Greenfield District Court on Monday to four counts of negligent operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs resulting in serious bodily injury; four counts of reckless assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; possession of a Class B substance (cocaine); and failure to stay within marked lanes.

When approached by officers at Baystate Franklin Medical Center following the crash, Hattat allegedly told officers that he fell asleep at the wheel after being up all night “ingesting crack-cocaine and powder cocaine” but that he had stopped around “1 or 2” so as to not drive impaired, according to a police report filed by Northampton Police Officer Heather Longley. However, Longley, a certified drug recognition expert who was called to assist the Greenfield Police Department, wrote that Hattat did not clarify if this was 1 or 2 a.m., or 1 or 2 p.m. He also allegedly admitted to officers that he had smoked marijuana about an hour before his drive to help him “stay awake.”

Longely’s narrative also indicated Hattat was prescribed Suboxone, which he reportedly ingested earlier that morning.

“With all of the combined factors, the many general indicators of impairment, the admission of ingesting cannabis, Suboxone, cocaine and crack-cocaine, it is apparent that this is a poly-drug use impairment,” states Langley in her narrative. “Although I was unable to conduct a full evaluation, I feel confident in my assessment to form an opinion.”

Judge William Mazanec III on Monday set bail at $10,000 cash with the condition that Hattat not be allowed to drive. Assistant District Attorney Aidan Lanciani handled the arraignment on behalf of the state while Hattat was represented by defense attorney R. Dave Deherdt. A pretrial conference is schedule for May 9.

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