Tonight on Hayden Rowe Street, a 26-year-old woman was intentionally struck by a vehicle in what appears to be a road rage incident. She was unconscious but breathing on site, and was quickly transported to an area hospital. She remains in critical condition.

What follows is an account that was confirmed by multiple eyewitnesses to the tragedy that unfolded in Hopkinton on Thursday night.

Around 6:15 PM, two mid-size sedans were heading south on Route 85 toward Milford. The lead vehicle, a Honda Civic (Car A), came to a stop just past the Granite Street intersection, and the second car (Car B) stopped behind it, leaving very little room between their bumpers. The driver of Car A reportedly called 911 to report the incident, and a Hopkinton police officer was dispatched.

The driver of Car A has been identified as 36-year-old Ryan D. Sweatt of Milford. Mr. Sweatt is a graduate of Keefe Tech and is currently employed as a Quality Assurance Associate for Repligen Corporation in Hopkinton.

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With the vehicles stopped, four men and a woman exited Car B and began advancing toward Mr. Sweatt’s car. As the five approached, Sweatt moved his vehicle forward about 15 feet. He then abruptly put the vehicle in reverse, attempting to crush one or more of the group between the cars. But they jumped out of the way, and Sweatt lightly glanced the other car. Sweatt then sped off, toward Milford.

Moments later Sweatt appeared to change his mind. Performing an awkward U-Turn in front of Cornell’s Irish Pub, he accelerated back toward Hopkinton High School, and seeing that there was an oncoming car that was trying to go around Car B, swerved into the oncoming lane and passed Car B on its left side. Again, the occupants of Car B narrowly avoided being hit by Sweatt.

At this point two of the five from Car B got in and drove off, leaving their companions behind; two men and a woman, who are reportedly siblings.

Meanwhile, Sweatt executed another U-Turn at the intersection of Hayden Rowe and Granite Streets, and sped back toward Milford, reaching an estimated 35 mph. According to witnesses, Sweatt, seeing the woman walking alone on the shoulder of the road, reportedly aimed his vehicle and struck her with such force that she was separated from her shirt and jacket. Her clothing flew into the air and her body was pushed forward an estimated 30 feet, coming to rest on the front lawn of the house at 228 Hayden Rowe, directly across from Cornell’s.

“She flew in the air like a football,” said an eyewitness, who was still shaken from the event.

Four diners at Cornell’s – three men and a woman, all in their early thirties – immediately rushed across the street to help the woman. They had seen the incident from their table near the front window.

Almost simultaneously, a Hopkinton police officer arrived and pulled Sweatt over at 233 Hayden Rowe, just down the street from the victim. Sweatt exited his vehicle and began explaining the situation to the officer, reportedly indicating that the occupants of Car B has brandished knives and brass knuckles.

A witness overheard Sweatt saying that he was “scared for his life”, and “all he tried to do was get away”.

As she was taking his report, the officer noticed that the Cornell’s diners had gathered around the victim, who laid breathing but unconscious. It is presumed that the officer was unaware at that moment that a woman had been struck. As she was the only responder on scene, the officer motioned to one of the diners and reportedly said ‘don’t let him [Sweatt] leave’ and began to make her way to the victim to render aid. The two other Cornell’s customers followed their compatriot.

Just then, Sweatt attempted to flee the scene, but the three Cornell’s customers prevented the action. Placing themselves in extreme danger, they planted themselves in front and around the vehicle, securing the scene until other officers arrived. Following that, they helped direct traffic from passing cars. 

The police officer, reaching the victim, administered first aid and covered her while waiting for backup to arrive.

Moments later the Hopkinton Fire Department arrived and the victim was transported to Milford hospital. In a rare procedure, all four responding paramedics accompanied the woman to the hospital, administering lifesaving techniques along the way. Upon arrival at Milford she was air lifted to UMass Medical Center in Worcester. Around 8:00 PM she was reported to be in stable but critical condition.

HopNews obtained the fire department response times through an information request. Five minutes elapsed from the time the initial call came in to arrival on the scene. The victim was at the hospital 24 minutes later.

Police Chief Joseph Bennett confirmed that Sweatt was arrested and booked, and will be arraigned in Framingham District Court on Friday afternoon. HopNews has received reports from the courthouse that Sweatt’s attorney is already present. Hopkinton Detective Sergeant Gregg DeBoer is leading the investigation.