A late-night crash on I-495 north in Andover left a 25-year-old woman dead and four others injured Wednesday, after a minivan went off the road and caught fire near the busy I-93 interchange, according to state police. The violent two-vehicle wreck drew a major emergency response as crews rushed to put out the flames and treat multiple victims at the scene.
What officials say
State police told Boston 25 News that troopers were called just before 11:30 p.m. for reports of a vehicle off the roadway and on fire on I-495 north, just before the Route 93 interchange. When they arrived, they found a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country minivan with two adults and three children inside. Investigators later determined that the crash also involved a 2009 Honda Civic.
Victims and injuries
According to NBC Boston, a 25-year-old Lawrence woman who was riding as a passenger in the minivan was pronounced dead at the scene. The minivan's driver was taken to a Boston hospital with serious injuries, and the three children were also transported to a Boston hospital with injuries that officials have so far described as unknown. The Honda's driver did not appear to be injured.
Roads and next steps
A stretch of I-495 north was shut down while firefighters and troopers worked the scene and cleared the wreckage, and the highway later reopened, WHDH reports. State police say the crash remains under investigation and have not released any further information about how it happened.
