BOSTON, Nov. 10, 2014—A driver for a Brookline-based taxi company was arraigned today for allegedly punching and intentionally driving into a cyclist who sought his help after an accident, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

SAM CHANDLER (D.O.B. 11/25/68) of Boston was arraigned in the Boston Municipal Court on charges of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and leaving the scene of a collision causing injury. Assistant District Attorney Eric Anderson recommended bail of $2,000 and orders that he stay away from the victim; Judge Thomas Horgan imposed $1,000 bail and imposed the stay-away order.

Boston Police on patrol in the area of Tremont and Avery streets were flagged down by members of a large crowd who reported that a blue and white taxi had just struck someone and left the scene.

The man who was hit, a 43-year-old Beacon Hill man, told officers that he had run a red light and struck a female pedestrian as she crossed the street. He went to her aid, he said, and asked a nearby cab driver – later identified as Chandler – for help. Instead of assisting, however, Chandler allegedly became belligerent, exited his cab, and struck the cyclist with his fists. When witnesses separated the two men and the cyclist blocked his cab to call police, Chandler allegedly drove into him and fled southbound on Tremont Street.

Witnesses corroborated the cyclist’s account. He and the pedestrian he struck were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital. Both are expected to survive their injuries.

Boston Police broadcast the plate number of Chandler’s taxi and a Boston Police officer working a paid detail on Granite Avenue in Dorchester spotted him a short time later. Chandler was placed under arrest and his cab was towed. Because violating a traffic law as a cyclist is a civil infraction under Ch. 85, Sect. 11E, of the Massachusetts General Laws, the cyclist is not expected to face criminal charges.

Chandler was represented by attorney Kim Giampetro. He will return to court on Dec. 10.

–30–

All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.