Report ID: June 7, 2026
NCIC#: Unknown
Officer ID#: Unknown
Traffic Unit 1: Passenger vehicle (operator: Benjamin Robert Pimentel, age 19, Lynnfield, MA)
Occupants: 1 (driver)
Injuries/Fatalities: No injuries reported
Vehicle Damage: Unknown
Property Damage: Significant structural damage to School Street Foods restaurant at 618 Salem Street, including destroyed wall, severed water lines, flooded basement, and food loss; gas line narrowly missed
Road Surface: Unknown
Manner of Impact: Vehicle struck side of commercial building after failing to stop for police and exiting Route 1 north via the Salem Street ramp
Pedestrian/Cyclist Location: N/A
Narrative
On Sunday, June 7, 2026, at approximately 1:29 a.m., Massachusetts State Police troopers patrolling Route 1 north in Lynnfield observed a vehicle operating erratically. The suspect vehicle, operated by 19-year-old Benjamin Robert Pimentel of Lynnfield, failed to stop when signaled by troopers, exited the highway via the Salem Street ramp, and crashed directly into the side of School Street Foods, located at 618 Salem Street.
No injuries were reported. The vehicle came to rest inside the restaurant’s dining room, destroying a wall, rupturing water lines — which flooded the basement and ruined food inventory — and narrowly missing a gas line by inches. Restaurant co-owners estimated the business may be shut down for approximately six months as a result of the damage.
Pimentel was arrested and charged with operating under the influence, failure to stop for police, negligent operation, and other motor vehicle offenses. He was arraigned Monday at Peabody District Court, released on $2,500 bail with curfew conditions and an alcohol monitoring device, and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on July 10, 2026. The facts and circumstances of the crash remain under investigation. Full details are developing.
When an alleged drunk driver causes serious property damage and places lives at risk, those affected — including business owners, employees, and bystanders — may have legal options worth exploring. If you were impacted by this or a similar OUI-related crash in Massachusetts, consider taking steps to protect your rights. You can start by obtaining the official documentation of the incident — get your free crash report here.
This report contains details provided by NBC Boston and is NOT an official crash report.
