Driver in hospital crash charged in deaths

A 76-year-old Rockland woman whose car plowed into an entrance of Brockton Hospital Monday, killing two staff members, has been charged with motor vehicle homicide.

Jane Berghold, a breast cancer patient, was attempting to park for an appointment when her car crashed into the hospital, killing Dr. Mark A. Vasa, chief of radiation therapy, and injuring Susan Plante, of East Bridgewater, who died later that night. Two other staff members were injured.

Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz has charged Berghold with two counts of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation and one count of operating to endanger, said Bridget Norton Middleton, a spokeswoman.

She would not elaborate on why prosecutors filed the charges. An initial court date had not been set yesterday.

Berghold, her husband, and her son have said she tried to stop the car by hitting the brake. A man who answered the phone at the Berghold residence yesterday said the family would not comment further.

Peter Berghold, her son, has said that his mother was always a conscientious driver.

"She is probably one of the most cautious drivers on the planet," he told the Globe in a telephone interview earlier this week.

At Cruz's request, the Registry of Motor Vehicles indefinitely revoked Jane Berghold's driver's license after the crash. Cruz also has said Brockton and State Police were examining the 1991 Oldsmobile Delta 88 for mechanical problems and looking into whether Berghold was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Vasa, a respected radiation oncologist from Norwell who had been with Brockton Hospital for two decades, was buried yesterday following a funeral at Temple Beth Emunah in Brockton.

Plante, 59, a 20-year employee of Brockton Hospital, died at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she was airlifted after the accident.

Rob Brogna, a spokesman for Brockton Hospital, said the radiation therapy center reopened Wednesday morning.

"There's still some cosmetic work that will take place, but we are fully operational," he said. "Brockton Hospital is thankful to all of those who have offered their thoughts, prayers, and support through this tragic incident."

John C. Drake can be reached at jdrake@globe.com.