Carver teen arrested after driving car onto town athletic fields
(Carver Police Photo)
George Cowen's motives weren't immediately known.
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff
A Carver teen is facing a slew of criminal charges for allegedly driving onto the town's athletic fields, forcing hundred to "run for their lives'' to avoid being struck, according to Carver police.
In a statement released today, police identified the driver as 17-year-old George Cowen and said he lives on Craig Street in Carver. Police said once they stopped Cowen, they recovered a 16-inch knife.
Cowen's motives were not immediately known. Police said upwards of 600 people were on the fields for various sports at Carver High School around 6:40 p.m. yesterday when Cowen allegedly drove a gray Mercury onto the fields.
"Several individuals were almost hit by the vehicle and people ran, fearing for their lives,'' police said in the statement. At least 10 people called 911 to report Cowen, police said.
Police said Cowen drove away from the high school and was spotted by Officer Dennis Rizzutto on Pond Street where he tried to pull him over. But Cowen drove into incoming traffic and drove recklessly past other cars before suddenly deciding to stop, police said.
Cowen was to be arraigned today in Wareham District Court on 11 charges, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, speeding, and failure to stop for a police officer, police said. Cowen, who was transferred to Jordan Hospital last night for psychiatric evaluation, didn't appear at the hearing today.
