Massachusetts has long been one of the safer states in the nation for drivers, but some studies indicate that its roads are getting more dangerous. The National Safety Council, for example, found a 13 percent increase in fatal motor vehicle accidents in Massachusetts between 2015 and 2016. These statistics seem to be backed by a month of frequent truck accidents in the state, including a truck crash that resulted in one fatality.
Disabled Semi-Truck Involved in Mansfield Truck Crash
July 15, 2017
An unidentified driver is dead after crashing into the rear of a disabled semi-truck in the breakdown lane in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The crash occurred at about 5:25 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-95, not far from the Mansfield rest area.
The unknown deceased driver was traveling in a 2015 Ford F250 pickup truck at the time of the accident. The 2015 Kenworth semi-truck, driven by a 56-year-old man from Providence, Rhode Island, was broken down with a flat tire. The driver of the F250 is believed to have struck the rear of the big rig and become stuck under the semi before both vehicles caught fire. Massachusetts State Police believe that speed was a factor in the big rig accident.
Officials pronounced the F250 driver dead at the scene, but the driver of the semi-truck—who was seated in the driver’s seat when the accident occurred—sustained only minor injuries and refused medical treatment. The semi-truck was bound for Costco with a load of pallets, boxes and beverages.
State Troopers were first on the scene, with Mansfield and North Attleboro firefighters not far behind. Other authorities, including those from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation aided in efforts to secure the scene of the Mansfield truck crash. Both water and foam were used in attempts to extinguish the blaze, but the fire continued to burn an hour after the crash.
Those with information on the crash are asked to call the Massachusetts State Police Foxboro Barracks at 508-543-8550.
Cyclist Dies After Being Hit by Semi in Springfield
July 15, 2017
The same day as the Mansfield truck crash, a bicyclist was killed in the early morning hours. The fatal accident occurred near the intersection of Page Boulevard and Brookdale Drive at approximately 4:00 a.m. Springfield police say that the deadly truck crash was reported by the truck driver himself, and that the cyclist was dead when they arrived at the scene.
Page Boulevard was shut down for a couple of hours following the accident as officials investigated, but a cause has yet to be given for the accident. No official comment has been made on whether the truck driver will be charged or cited.
The investigation into the fatal crash is being led by Sgt. Mel Kwatowski with the Springfield Police.
Fatality, Injuries in Methuen Dump Truck Crash
July 11, 2017
Four days before the truck crash in Mansfield, a collision between a passenger vehicle and a dump truck in a residential neighborhood proved fatal. The accident occurred at Riverside Drive and Strathmore Road at approximately 8:00 a.m.
A Honda Accord was traveling in the eastbound lanes while a tractor-trailer dump truck was traveling in the westbound lanes. Police say the Accord crossed the center line and collided with the dump truck, killing the driver of the Accord in the impact. The force of the collision was enough to eject the engine from the Accord and send it flying about 50 feet into two parked cars.
The only passenger in the Accord, a woman, was taken to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston with life-threatening injuries, and the driver of the dump truck was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. The driver of an Acura MDX that was also involved in the crash sustained minor injuries as well.
No statement has been released on the cause of the accident or whether drugs or alcohol were factors.
Prius and Semi-Truck Collide in Uxbridge
June 20, 2017
One man was injured in a collision between a Toyota Prius and a tractor-trailer east of Cross Road in Uxbridge. Police say the accident occurred at approximately 2:10 p.m. and gave no details on who was at fault or how the collision happened.
The driver and sole occupant of the Prius was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center by Uxbridge EMS, while the driver of the semi-truck was unharmed. A section of Douglas Street, where the accident took place, was closed for several hours after the crash.
An investigation into the injury-causing collision is now being conducted by the district attorney’s office, the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council Accident Reconstruction Team and the Massachusetts Police Commercial Truck Enforcement Team.
Overturned Dump Truck Snarls Traffic on Massachusetts Turnpike
June 19, 2017
Another incident involving a dump truck left traffic tangled on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Sturbridge after the driver lost control of the vehicle.
The accident took place in the eastbound lanes not far from the Cedar Street overpass when the dump truck collided with the inside guardrail. Police say the driver was not harmed in the crash.
Because of the nature of the crash, it was westbound traffic which was most greatly affected. The eastbound lanes in the area were closed for only an hour and a half, reopening at approximately 11:30 a.m., but the westbound lanes remained limited to one lane even at 4:00 in the afternoon.
No cause has been given for the crash.
