A 19-year Barnstable police veteran remains in recovery after being struck by a vehicle while directing pedestrians after a concert, police said.
Officer Peter Ginnetty was hit shortly after 10:05 p.m. Sunday, at 41 West Main Street in Hyannis. Police said he was standing in a marked, illuminated crosswalk with flashing lights near the end of a ZZ Top show at the Cape Cod Melody Tent, wearing a bright reflective jacket and holding a flashlight.
A vehicle traveling eastbound on West Main Street entered the crosswalk and struck him. Officers and Melody Tent staff began first aid immediately. Hyannis Fire Department personnel then took Ginnetty to Cape Cod Hospital.Police said Ginnetty suffered several serious injuries, including multiple broken bones and a significant injury to his right leg.
He remains positive but faces a long recovery.
The driver was identified as Robert Brando-Hunt, 43, of Osterville. Police said a preliminary investigation found probable cause that he was operating under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested at the scene and charged with:
- Operating under the influence of liquor, second offense
- Operating under the influence of liquor with serious injury and negligence
- Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
On Monday at arraignment in Barnstable District Court, Brando-Hunt pled not guilty and was being held on $100,000 bond/$10,000 cash bail. He has a pretrial hearing scheduled for October 14th.
The Barnstable Police Accident Reconstruction Unit is assisting with the investigation.
West Main Street was closed for about an hour while the scene was documented.
Police asked the public to keep Ginnetty and his family in their thoughts and thanked the community for its support.
As with all criminal defendants, the accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
