Paul Hunnebeck, 61, of Kingston, New York, Injured After Being Hit by Red Light Runner at the Intersection of Scenic Highway and Herring Pond Road in Bourne
BOURNE, MASSACHUSETTS (August 5, 2026) — A 61-year-old driver identified as Paul Hunnebeck was injured in a Bourne car accident by Scenic Highway and Herring Pond Road.
Barnstable County officials are saying that the incident occurred around 6:45 AM on Sunday. A 2026 GMC Terrain was heading down the roadway, but the driver failed to stop at a red light and hit a Jeep Wrangler turning left.
Paul Hunnebeck was identified as the driver of the Jeep. The force of the impact caused the Jeep to become airborne and roll over before coming to rest in the middle of the roadway.
Firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the scene to help the victim. Paul Hunnebeck was transported to a local area hospital to receive treatment.
A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
DiBella Law remains committed to improving public safety and increasing transparency through our Free Police Report program. If you’ve been involved in any type of accident that required a police response, we can help you get a copy of the police report created at no cost or obligation to you.
Liability for Bourne Car Accidents
Massachusetts drivers are expected to use reasonable care to avoid colliding with other people on the roadway. Pursuant to 700 CMR 9.06, a driver facing a steady red signal must wait outside the intersection and not proceed until they are permitted to do so. Accidents involving drivers that go past red traffic signals usually involve speeding. Several other factors could contribute to any car accident.
- Distraction: Any type of distraction could seriously compromise a person’s ability to operate their vehicle safely.
- Inclement Weather: Poor weather conditions can dramatically increase the length of time it takes to bring your vehicle to a safe stop.
- Vehicle System Failures: Though relatively rare, any type of mechanical issue with a car could potentially prevent a driver from being able to slow down in time to avoid a collision.
- Unsafe Follow Distance: Another major contributing factor in car accidents is unsafe follow distances. Drivers should always maintain a safe distance from any vehicle ahead of them.
When a driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting another vehicle, this could be used to support a negligence claim. There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that goes past a yield sign without stopping. Consider, for example, Commonwealth v. Carlson. In that case, a person was seriously injured after a driver entered an intersection that was controlled by a stop sign. The court determined that a jury could infer a driver acted negligently by virtue of their failure to stop before proceeding through an intersection. They also held the collision may constitute the proximate cause of the death of the plaintiff, even though that individual had a preexisting condition.
Steps to Take After Massachusetts Rollover Collisions
Rollover collisions are highly dangerous and routinely lead to catastrophic injuries to those affected. These types of collisions account for a relatively small portion of all accidents. But they also lead to a disproportionately high number of fatalities. According to the IIHS, “A total of 6,250 passenger vehicle occupants died in rollover crashes in 2024. Although most rollovers were associated with a prerollover impact, a substantial proportion (22%) rolled over without having impacted anything beforehand.” Multiple actions should be taken after any rollover collision.
- Medical Evaluation: Victims should seek a medical evaluation. Many injuries associated with a crash may not be obvious.
- Vehicle Roof Inspection: Lots of photos of the accident site should be taken, including the roof of the vehicle that rolled over. Roofs should never cave in during a rollover. But in many cases they do. A caved-in roof may indicate a serious flaw with the vehicle.
- Insurance Information: All insurance information should be exchanged with affected parties.
- Police Report: Any police report created after the collision should be obtained. These reports are far from thorough, but they can still be very useful in a number of different ways.
A complete investigation into an accident should examine all potentially relevant factors that may have contributed to the collision. These may include speed, roof strength, and driver behavior. It could be hard to know where to begin after being injured in a collision. Many victims are left with serious injuries that impair their ability to work or perform daily activities. These victims are able to seek some measure of accountability and justice through civil action.
Investigating Massachusetts Rollover Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our best wishes to Paul Hunnebeck and everyone else who has been affected by this collision. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. Ultimately, this was a preventable crash that should not have taken place. Local officials should consider what measures may be taken to help make this intersection safer. It matters whether or not there was a history of similar accidents at this particular intersection.
Do you need more information about a Massachusetts rollover accident? Our team of car accident lawyers is here for you. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are protected through skilled legal representation. Whether you just have questions or are wondering what your rights are after a crash, we may be able to assist you. You can contact us anytime at (855) 649-2674.