Family: Bridgewater man hit by vehicle while in wheelchair dies, loses “battle to recover from injuries”

Family members say that a man who was injured after being hit by a vehicle while in a wheelchair has died.

According to an obituary, 75-year-old Phillip Bumpus of Bridgewater passed away on Wednesday.

“Phillip lost his battle to recover from injuries received after being hit by a car in August. He was well known and loved by many in Bridgewater as he traveled in his motorized wheelchair around town.”

According to police, at 9:43 a.m. on August 1st, Bridgewater Police received multiple 911 calls reporting that a pedestrian in a wheelchair was struck by a vehicle in the area of 241 Main Street.

Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from injuries laying on the grass between the roadway and sidewalk with a damaged wheelchair. Through an initial on-scene investigation, officers learned that a maroon SUV or crossover type of vehicle had allegedly struck the man and left the scene, traveling westbound toward West Bridgewater. The West Bridgewater Police Department was notified and given a description of the suspect vehicle.

West Bridgewater Police officers located a vehicle that had damage consistent with the crash. Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of North Main and Matfield streets in West Bridgewater.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, later identified as 61-year-old Bonnie Bowes, was taken into custody by Bridgewater Police at the scene and transported to the Bridgewater Police station to be booked.

Bowes was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury, OUI-Drugs Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Leaving the Scene of Property Damage. and Marked Lanes Violation.

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours for Bumpus on Thursday, November 16th, 2023 from 11 AM to 1 PM at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 98 Bedford Street, Bridgewater, MA. A funeral service will take place in the funeral home at 1 PM. Burial will take place at a later date.

It remains unclear if charges will be upgraded after the death of Bumpus.