DUDLEY, Mass. (AP) – A man who allegedly caused a hit-and-run car crash then tried to blame it on his mother pleaded not guilty and was released on Monday.

Angel Bergollo, 25, of Southbridge, allegedly rear-ended a van with his car around 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Police said he tried to drive away, but his car was damaged and came to a stop farther down the street.

When police arrived, Bergollo allegedly told them that his mother – who had come to the car and only spoke Spanish – was driving when the accident occurred.

However, a Southbridge police officer who is fluent in Spanish determined that the mother was not even in the vehicle at the time of the crash, according to Sgt. Brian F. Haggerty.

Bergollo was arraigned in Dudley District Court on charges of leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended license, using a motor vehicle without authority, and having a child in the car without a seat belt.

Bergollo was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court March 2 for a pretrial conference, said Worcester County District Attorney’s office spokeswoman Elizabeth Stammo.

No injuries were reported in the accident.

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Information from: Telegram & Gazette, http://www.telegram.com

AP-ES-02-06-06 1619EST