After a tragic incident on a western Massachusetts highway, one individual has been apprehended in connection with an overnight crash that resulted in the deaths of three people. Boston 25 News reports that the collision occurred on I-91 northbound at Exit 10A in West Springfield, claiming the lives of three highway workers, whose identities remain undisclosed at this moment.
The Hampden County District Attorney's office announced the arrest early this morning, yet details on the suspect's identity and the charges they face have not been made clear as the crash continues to be scrutinized by authorities, troopers from the Massachusetts State Police were among the responders, and they, alongside other officials, shut down the right lane, the breakdown lane, and the off-ramp during their investigation which lasted several hours before reopening nearly 6 a.m.
A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, in a statement obtained by Boston 25 News, expressed condolences, saying: "We are deeply saddened by the fatal crash on I-91 involving an accident recovery contractor working under a permit." They also clarified that the crash was not at a MassDOT worksite nor did it involve any MassDOT staff.
Early reports from 7News described the workers as being struck while performing their duties on the highway, heinous as it is, the driver initially fled the scene, but was eventually located and detained by the police, according to sources; the District Attorney's office plans to provide an update on the incident Friday afternoon as the affected community and indeed, all who travel the tarred ribbons that bind our towns, wait for justice and an understanding of the events that unfolded under the dark.
