Suspect in Hingham car accident had 16 speeding citations, 10 license suspensions

By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent

The Plymouth resident allegedly responsible for putting two people and himself in the hospital this week after a Hingham car accident has a long record of driving violations.

According to his record, provided to the Globe by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, 41-year-old William E. Vonberg IV has received 16 speeding tickets, been in five car accidents, and is currently facing his 11th license suspension.

The records show Vonberg has been given at least one citation every year since 1987, except for 1994-1999 – offenses that include everything from speeding, to lacking an inspection sticker, violation of open drink policy, driving to endanger, and payment default.

According to Hingham Police Sergeant Steven Dearth, it’s the longest list of driving violations he has ever seen.

Vonberg's previous 10 license suspensions resulted from multiple citations within a five-year period.

“A habitual traffic offender suspension is imposed by the RMV after a person has been determined to be either civilly responsible or criminally guilty for the requisite number of violations within a five-year period,” said Sara Lavoie, a public information officer with MassDOT.

Despite the multiple suspensions, Vonberg did have his license at the time of the Hingham accident.

But because his record is so extensive, the RMV immediately suspended Vonberg’s license as soon as it heard about the crash. By the time the police went to request the suspension, it had already occurred.

In the latest accident, which occurred around 9 p.m. last Sunday, a preliminary investigation found that Vonberg was traveling south on Main Street in Hingham and completely crossed over the double yellow center lines into the oncoming northbound lane.

His vehicle struck an oncoming car head on, the investigation found, putting 59-year-old Karen B. Fontana of Hingham, and the passenger, 60-year-old Dorothy J. Doyle of Brockton, in the hospital.

According to police, both victims were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, Vonberg was not. He was taken to Boston Medical Center with serious injuries, where he remains in the same condition today, police said.

Vonberg could not be reached for comment for this article.

Doyle and Fontana were taken to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Initially, Doyle was listed in critical condition and Fontana in serious condition; however, both are now in fair condition, Hingham police said.

According to police, Vonberg was under the influence of alcohol during the crash. Open containers of alcohol allegedly were found in the front seat of his car.

Vonberg will face charges for OUI Alcohol causing serious injury and negligent operation (two counts), OUI Alcohol (first offense), operating to endanger, driving with an open container of alcohol, marked lanes violation, and a seat belt violation.

He will be entitled to a hearing with the RMV relative to his license suspension.

According to Dearth, if Vonberg is found guilty of driving to endanger, he will lose his license for 60 days. An OUI conviction is another 45 days, and an OUI with serious bodily injury is additional time.

This is the first time Vonberg has been charged with an OUI. Because of that, this accident isn't likely to cause Vonberg to lose his license permanently.

“At this time, Mr. Vonberg’s license has been revoked indefinitely. Additional license suspensions as a result of this most recent incident, including the potential to be suspended as a habitual traffic offender, are contingent upon the filing and disposition of any motor vehicle violations by the court,” Lavoie said.

Typically, a lifetime revocation can occur after a fifth OUI conviction, or if someone is pulled over after three OUIs and refuses a Breathalyzer test.