An off-duty Seekonk Patrolwoman, Kourtny DeForitis, lost her life in a motorcycle crash on the Route 103 rotary in Somerset early Saturday morning, September 9. According to CBS News Boston, DeForitis was a passenger on a motorcycle that entered the rotary in the wrong direction and collided with a car. This collision subsequently led to a serious crash, where the motorcycle operator was also killed, and the driver of the car was taken to the hospital as an "abundance of caution."
DeForitis had been a part of the Seekonk Police Department for just under three years and had a profound impact on her community, as reported by MassLive. As a community outreach officer, she developed a strong bond with the youth of Seekonk, often seen engaging with them at schools and community events, lighting up the atmosphere with her bright smile and contagious laughter.
In the aftermath of this accident, neighbors voiced their concerns regarding the safety of the rotary on Route 103, where this fatal crash transpired. Speaking with WJAR, one resident mentioned that many people don't know how to properly navigate this rotary, leading to incidents of going the wrong way or not yielding to other vehicles. Some have even called for further efforts to educate the public on rotary safety measures.
As this accident is still under investigation by Somerset police, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section and detectives assigned to the Bristol District Attorney's Office, the community reels from the loss of DeForitis. The Seekonk Police Department, as cited in CBS News Boston, shared their deep and most profound sadness at her untimely passing.
