By Jim Clark

A Somerville police officer on a detail assignment with a two-person work crew from Hi-Way Safety Systems painting road markings on Medford St. last Friday witnessed an alleged hit and run incident at which time the work crew’s truck and equipment had been struck by a passing car.

According to reports, the vehicle in question had passed through a coned off area on the street, striking the truck and damaging the painting equipment, also causing white paint to be sprayed across the immediate area.

The officer followed the car and pulled it over. Police said that the driver, identified as Cheryl Lovett, claimed to be unaware that she had struck the truck and asked the officer, “What’s going on?”

The officer reported that he could detect the odor of alcohol and that Lovett could not maintain eye contact with him.

The officer informed Lovett that she had stopped because she had struck a piece of equipment in the work zone she had just driven by. Lovett reportedly stared blankly out the window and said she did not know what the officer was talking about and that she had “just pulled over because she had a flat tire.”

Upon inspection of Lovett’s vehicle, the officer reportedly spotted severe damage to right front tire and rim.

Lovett repeatedly denied being aware that there had been an accident, and she refused the officer’s request to perform a field sobriety test.

Lovett was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with leaving the scene of property damage, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.