One Injured, One Arrested in Altercation Following Crash

Today at 3:09 p.m., troopers from the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in South Boston responded to a stabbing that followed a minor two-vehicle crash on Morrissey Boulevard, prior to Freeport Street, in Dorchester. One man was taken to a Boston hospital for treatment of a stab injury; his alleged assailant was taken into State Police custody.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper James Gordon indicates that a 63-year-old North Reading man was operating a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser when he rear-ended a 1995 Chevrolet Jimmy being operated by COLUM J. FLAHERTY, 62, of Quincy.

The two drivers involved in the crash were exchanging information when a 54-year-old Quincy man operating a 2010 Honda stopped his vehicle in front of the two cars and voiced his displeasure over the delay in traffic. That man became involved in an altercation with FLAHERTY; during the altercation, FLAHERTY, armed with a knife, stabbed the man who had stopped to complain.

The victim was transported to Boston Medical Center with minor injuries. FLAHERTY was arrested at the scene by Trooper Gordon and charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon. The investigation by Troop H of the Massachusetts State Police remains active and more charges may follow.

FLAHERTY is being held at the State Police Barracks in South Boston pending bail. He is due to be arraigned tomorrow at the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court.

In order to allow the State Police Crime Scene Services and chemist to gather evidence and process the scene, two lanes of Morrissey Boulevard were closed for approximately two hours.

State Police are not releasing the victim's name at this time. It is the policy of the State Police not to release booking photos.

No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.