New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
ACCIDENT #1:
Just after 5 p.m. on Saturday Troopers assigned to State Police-Leominster received reports of a motor vehicle crash with injuries on Route 2 eastbound prior to Exit 95 in Fitchburg. Troopers responded to that location along with Fitchburg Fire and EMS.
Upon their arrival they discovered a 2020 Freightliner truck that had been involved in a crash with a 2013 Ram 1500, which was traveling to the left of the Freightliner in the same direction. The operator of the Freightliner, Kevin Kinnear, 59, from Hubbardston, became unresponsive and died at the scene. Preliminary investigation suggests Kinnear may have suffered a medical emergency immediately prior to the crash.
The crash remains under investigation by Troop C of the Massachusetts State Police along with the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services. Troopers were assisted on scene by numerous Good Samaritans, Westminster Fire and Police. Lane closures were in place for approximately 2.5 hours to facilitate crash investigation and cleanup.
ACCIDENT #2:
At approximately 12:30 p.m. today, Troopers assigned to State Police-Brookfield responded to reports of a two-vehicle, head-on crash on Route 49 at Flagg Road in East Brookfield. Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2021 Nissan Rogue, operated by a 60-old-man from Fitchburg, was traveling northbound and a 2018 Toyota Tacoma, operated by a 71-year-old man from Leicester, was traveling southbound on Route 49. As the vehicles converged in the area of Flagg Road the Nissan Rogue crossed into the southbound lane and struck the Toyota.
Both vehicle operators succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. A passenger in the Toyota, a 28-year-old man from Leicester, suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital via ambulance.
The cause of this crash remains under investigation with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section (CARS), the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and Troopers assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
State Police were assisted on scene by East Brookfield Police and Fire and MassDOT. All travel lanes were completely closed, with detours in place, for approximately four hours to facilitate crash investigation and cleanup. There is no further information available at this time. Please do not contact the barracks for media inquiries.
