Driver charged after victim discovered miles from first 911 call
PITTSFIELD, MA – A 65-year-old Hancock man is being held on 250000 dollars cash bail after prosecutors say he struck a 69-year-old man and left him in the roadway, with investigators alleging the victim was dragged for miles before his body was discovered near a Pittsfield hotel.
William Gross was arraigned Wednesday in Central Berkshire District Court on charges of leaving the scene of a person resulting in injury or death and negligent motor vehicle homicide, according to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office. He is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 25.
The case stems from a late-night incident on Feb. 10. At approximately 11:33 p.m., Pittsfield police responded to two 911 calls reporting that a person appeared to have fallen in the roadway near Francis Street and Linden Street and needed assistance. When officers arrived, the individual was no longer there.
While searching the area, officers received information from a witness indicating the victim may have been struck by a vehicle and dragged down the roadway. Police canvassed the neighborhood and deployed a heat-seeking drone but were unable to locate the man.
At approximately 11:49 p.m., dispatch received two additional 911 calls reporting a person lying in the roadway in front of the Best Western at 1350 West Housatonic Street, about three miles from the initial scene. Callers reported the person appeared to have been struck by a vehicle.
Pittsfield Fire Department and Action Ambulance responded at 11:55 p.m., with police arriving shortly after. Emergency responders observed injuries consistent with the victim being dragged under a vehicle for a significant distance. The victim was identified as William Colbert, 69, of Pittsfield.
Investigators were initially unable to locate the vehicle involved. In the following days, officers obtained surveillance video from businesses and private residences tracing the vehicle’s route. While the footage did not capture a license plate number, investigators identified the make, model and color of the vehicle.
Police compiled a list of vehicles matching the description and conducted further review. On Feb. 16, officers went to 227 Lebanon Mountain Road in Hancock to inquire about a vehicle registered to Gross that matched the description.
According to authorities, Gross allowed officers to search his vehicle and agreed to an interview. He told police he left work in Pittsfield around 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 and drove a route consistent with the investigation. Officials said the vehicle showed damage consistent with involvement in the incident.
Gross was taken into custody for questioning and later transported to Berkshire Medical Center for health concerns unrelated to the incident.
The Pittsfield Police Department led the investigation with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab.
The charges are accusations, and Gross is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Key Points
- William Gross, 65, arraigned on hit and run and negligent motor vehicle homicide charges
- Victim William Colbert, 69, found dead about three miles from initial 911 call
- Gross held on 250000 dollars cash bail pending next court appearance Feb. 25