Early this morning, a small plane crashed onto Route 195 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, killing two people. According to NBC Boston, the crash occurred around 8:15 a.m., leading to the closure of the westbound lanes near exit 19 and part of the eastbound side. Emergency crews remained at the scene for several hours.
Massachusetts State Police identified the aircraft as a fixed-wing plane that crashed in the highway median and caught fire. CBS News reported that a damaged vehicle was also found nearby, though it is unclear whether it was involved in the crash.
Preliminary reports suggest the pilot may have been attempting to land at New Bedford Regional Airport. No flight plan was filed, and the number of people on board has not been confirmed. The victims’ identities have not been released.
Severe weather from a nor’easter, which brought heavy rain and strong winds to the area, may have been a factor. Multiple agencies, including Massachusetts State Police and emergency responders from New Bedford, Fall River, and Westport, responded to the scene.
Dartmouth is located about 57 miles south of Boston and 28 miles southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, according to CBS News. Investigations into the cause of the crash remain ongoing.
