Things escalated quickly in a neighborhood located in Springfield, Massachusetts. An argument turned violent as the suspect decided to use his SUV as a weapon. As his neighbor called him a coward, he struck the man twice. 

Springfield man calls attacker a coward as he gets hit by SUV 

The suspect, identified as 68-year-old Joseph Vaughan, didn’t take kindly to being called a coward. A quiet neighborhood in Springfield, Massachusetts, quickly became the center of a crime scene after an argument broke out. 

The victim, 77-year-old Robert Crane, yelled, “You’re a coward,” and unfortunately didn’t know those would be his last words before he was murdered. 

According to Western Mass News, Crane was standing behind a light pole at 132 Shady Brooke Lane, then walked to the middle of the street. As he shouted, Vaughan struck him with a grey SUV. Then he reversed over Crane a second time. 

When police officers arrived, Crane was trapped under the vehicle. Court documents show that Crane’s wife was also hit by the vehicle. Both were treated by emergency responders at the scene, but Crane didn’t survive his injuries. 

Reportedly, the neighbors had a long-standing feud that finally came to a head. It ended with a deadly confrontation. However, law enforcement hasn’t confirmed this information. 

Vaughan was arrested at the scene. He faces charges for murder, assault, and battery with a dangerous weapon. He’s being held without bail. A judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. 

Neighbors are stunned and horrified by the loss of their friend. They watched from their yards as investigators blocked off the area with caution tape to perform their duties.