Search
Homepage > Boston News

Wrong-Way Crash Victim 'Looks Like Monster,' Girlfriend Says

Victim Struck By Alleged Drunken Driver On Mass Pike

POSTED: 12:49 pm EST December 29, 2009
UPDATED: 5:22 pm EST December 29, 2009

comments
Bookmark and Share
A man seriously injured when an alleged drunken wrong-way driver crashed into his car on the Massachusetts Turnpike remains in a medically induced coma.

Rene Bronfield, 49, of Worcester was driving home in his 1978 MG sports car with a friend when he was struck by Philip Daniels, 33, at about 2 a.m. Sunday near the Prudential Tunnel in Boston, according to police.

Bronfield's passenger, who has not been identified, was killed. Bronfield lost one eye and has undergone three surgeries. He remains in a coma at Massachusetts General Hospital.

His girlfriend, Mirian Martinez, said he "looks like a monster," and has no idea when he'll come out of the coma.

Martinez and Bronfield, who works as a mechanic in Worcester, moved to Massachusetts from New Jersey.

Meanwhile, Daniels was held on $100,000 bail after appearing in Boston Municipal Court Monday on charges including motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol. He was not hurt in the crash.

Attorneys told the court that Daniels, who has worked as an operations manager for John Hancock for the past nine years, moved from Boston to Norwood recently to help care for his ailing mother who requires 24-hour care.

Daniels allegedly told police he had been drinking beer earlier at Lucky's Bar in Boston.

Records indicated Daniels was arrested in June 2006 for disorderly conduct and assault. The case was continued without a finding and Daniels was ordered to continue with AA meetings.

His family released a statement Monday saying, "The Daniels' family is very sorry for this tragedy and its prayers are with the families of those involved."

Comments

WCVB on Facebook

Links We Like

Featured On 5

Sponsored Links