New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The Bourne Bridge was partially reopened at 9:14 a.m on Wednesday, March 25. The right travel lane onto the Cape is open, while both off-Cape lanes are open. The inner travel lane in the Bourne Rotary is closed; the outer travel lane in the rotary is open. An environmental company is on-scene undertaking the soil cleanup process.
The operator is identified as Thomas B. Medeiros, 47, of Westport. Initially trapped in the cab, he was extricated and transported to Tobey Hospital in Wareham with minor injuries. The tractor (cab) of the truck is owned by TBM Trucking of Westport (same address as Medeiros). The trailer (tank) was owned by DJ Cronin Inc. of Seekonk.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police with assistance from the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section. The result of the investigation will determine whether charges are warranted. Preliminary investigation indicates that the truck, carrying 11,500 gallons of fuel, was travelling south over the Bourne Bridge toward the rotary. When the truck reached the rotary, rather than entering the turn, it continued straight, jumped the curb, and struck the embankment. The tractor and the tank it was pulling both turned over onto their right sides, causing the fuel cargo to pour out into the rotary. Approximately 5,000 gallons of fuel spilled into the rotary and surrounding storm drains.
