A 32-year-old Walpole man was killed Monday afternoon after the SUV he was driving smashed into a utility pole and then plowed into the Budget Inn motel on Route 1 in Westwood. Emergency crews spent hours at the scene cutting the driver from the wreckage, clearing debris and working around downed wires while utility crews rushed in to start repairs. The crash left visible damage at the motel and knocked out power to nearby properties as first responders secured the area.
According to Boston 25 News, the collision happened around 4 p.m. on Monday at 71 Providence Highway, along the Route 1 stretch in front of the Budget Inn. Police officers and firefighters shut down the southbound lanes so they could stabilize the scene and keep onlookers at a safe distance.
Scene and response
Westwood police and fire officials said a telephone pole was knocked down and the SUV came to rest against the motel. One guest told WHDH, “Popped me right out of the bed, fell down, it was crazy.” The town’s building inspector was called in to assess the damage, and guests reported being without power for hours while utility crews worked to restore service.
Injuries and investigation
Investigators told Boston 25 News that the SUV, which was identified as a Nissan Rogue, first struck the pole, knocking it down and cutting power, before continuing into the Budget Inn and causing significant non-structural damage. Emergency crews freed the trapped driver and took him to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston with life-threatening injuries. He later died at the hospital. Westwood police say the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
History at the Budget Inn
This is not the first time a vehicle has slammed into the Budget Inn. In June 2021, an RV veered off Route 1 and crashed into the same motel, and the driver later faced impaired-driving charges, according to CBS Boston. That earlier crash triggered a similar emergency response but did not result in the same level of injuries.
Road and power impacts
Southbound Route 1 was closed for a period of time while first responders cleared wreckage and utility workers dealt with the downed pole and damaged lines. The lanes were reopened after crews removed debris and secured the area, WHDH reported. Westwood police continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash as cleanup and repairs move forward.
