Witnesses tell Melrose police that driver repeatedly ran over motorcyclist before fleeing

By Katherine Landergan, Globe Correspondent

According to witness accounts, a driver involved in a hit-and-run crash Sunday morning ran over a motorcyclist several times, Melrose Police said in a statement. The male victim suffered serious injuries.

Police said the crash occurred around 8:15 a.m. at the intersection of Main Street, Franklin Street, and Green Street. The statement said a motorcyclist was stopped at a red light on the northbound side of Main Street and the second vehicle, a sedan, was directly behind him.

When the light turned green, the driver of the sedan struck the motorcycle, knocking the motorcyclist to the ground.

“The sedan then travelled forward over the operator,” the police statement said. “The operator of the sedan then placed his vehicle in reverse, and travelled back and forth over the operator several times. This is apparent based on witness accounts at the scene.”

Police said the driver briefly got out of his car before driving away. The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries, and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital. The driver of the car has been identified by police, who did not release his name.

“Criminal charges are expected to be filed,” the statement said.