Massachusetts State Police investigating fatal tractor-trailer rollover on turnpike

The tractor-trailer driver killed in Monday’s crash on the Massachusetts Turnpike is identified as Sterling Hullett, 49, of Fort Worth, Texas, an employee of R and D Transportation of Westport, Mass.,

Preliminary investigation by Massachusetts State Police units indicates that the tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound on the Turnpike (Route 90) in Brighton at around 1:30pm. Evidence indicates that the trailer began to sway and the truck moved from the middle lane to the left lane. For reason or reasons still under investigation, the truck then rolled over onto the cement median barrier and continue to travel along it for a significant distance.

The vehicle came to final rest with the cab on the eastbound side and the trailer rolled over onto the westbound lanes prior to Exit 20. The large container being carried on the trailer became dislodged and also came to rest across multiple westbound lanes.

Immediately upon the arrival of troopers, it was determined the operator of the tractor trailer was deceased. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. The crash caused multiple lanes in both directions to close temporarily.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Troop H of the Massachusetts State Police with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, State Police Crime Scene Services Section, State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section, and State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County.