Springfield man charged with murder, allegedly hit neighbor with car

A Springfield man is facing a murder charge after he allegedly struck his neighbor several times with his car.

Joseph Vaughan, 68, of Springfield, was arraigned Monday in Springfield District Court and charged with murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. Vaughan was arrested Jan. 2 in connection with the death of his neighbor, Robert Crane, 77, of Springfield.

The afternoon of Jan. 2, Springfield police responded to the 100 block of Shady Brook Lane for a report of a disturbance, according to the DA’s office. When they arrived, they found a man, later identified as Crane, “pinned beneath a vehicle.”

Crane was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, the DA’s office said. Vaughan was located “nearby” and taken into custody.

The fatal incident was apparently the result of an altercation between Vaughan and Crane, who were neighbors, according to a police report obtained by MassLive. Another neighbor who witnessed the altercation told police that Crane was hiding behind a light post just before Vaughan allegedly killed him.

Crane reportedly walked into the street and called Vaughan, who was behind the wheel of an SUV, a “coward.” Vaughan then struck Crane with the SUV and reversed to hit him a second time, according to the witness.

After allegedly running Crane down, Vaughan and his wife got out of the car and went back inside their home, the witness said.

Crane’s wife later told police that Vaughan had previously hit her with a car, leaving her with a head injury, according to the police report. Vaughan was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in that incident, MassLive reported.

Vaughan was ordered held without bail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 26, according to court records. Before then, he will undergo a mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital to determine if he is competent to stand trial.

Springfield police are continuing to investigate the incident in collaboration with the DA’s office.