SOUTH HADLEY — The new head of the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts school was arrested last month in Hampden County on multiple motor vehicle charges and the incident is now being reviewed by the school’s board of trustees.
George Simpson, 45, of Springfield, was arrested in the early hours of Sept. 29 by the Agawam Police Department. He is charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police and improper operation of a motor vehicle. He also received a civil motor vehicle infraction of not being in possession of his license.
Simpson said in an interview Tuesday night that he had left a friend’s place in Holyoke and was trying to make his way home without a GPS and while wearing only one contact lens.
“I think that is the lesson I learned, when in doubt don’t drive. Especially at night,” Simpson said. Police said the incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m.
Simpson said he was embarrassed by the incident and regrets there was any negative news surrounding the school.
There is no mention of any intoxication in the report and Simpson told a Gazette reporter that he wasn’t consuming alcohol or under the influence of any other substance. Simpson said he notified the school’s board of trustees the same day of the incident.
Simpson pleaded not guilty to the charges in Westfield District Court on Sept. 29. At the time of his arraignment, he did not have an attorney, according to court documents.
On Sept. 29, an officer in a marked cruiser saw a brown Hyundai Elantra pull onto Route 5 heading north in the southbound lane, according to a report written by Agawam Officer Christopher Lanski.
Lanski immediately turned on his lights and attempted to pull the vehicle over, according to the report.
“The vehicle refused to stop and continued North on Route 5 in the Southbound lane traveling approximately 50 mph,” Lanski wrote. “The vehicle continued past the Memorial Bridge heading North and I maintained a safe distance behind the vehicle warning oncoming traffic with the overhead emergency lights and siren on. Approximately six vehicles pulled over to the side of the road, including two tractor trailers.”
The car stopped on Warren Street and West Springfield Police identified the driver as Simpson. In an interview, Simpson said he didn’t see the police car at first.
Reached Monday, Geoffrey Sumi, president of PVPA’s board of trustees, said the matter was a personnel issue and therefore confidential and couldn’t be discussed in detail.
“Mr. Simpson notified the board officers shortly after the issue occurred,” Sumi said. “The matter is under review by the board committee.”
The wider school community had not been notified of the incident, Sumi said.