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September 02, 2009 - For immediate release:

State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 20 in Oxford

On September 2, 2009, at approximately 1:30 p.m. Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Sturbridge responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 20 in Charlton that resulted in one fatality, one serious injury and one minor injury.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Andrew Cornell indicates that 51-year-old Joann Burlingame of Charlton was exiting a parking lot on the eastbound side of Route 20 in Oxford in a 1999 Chevrolet Astro Van, when her vehicle struck a 2005 Harley Davidson Motorcycle that was travelling East on Route 20.  The adult male operator of the motorcycle sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge, where he was later pronounced deceased.  The adult female passenger of the motorcycle sustained serious injuries in the crash and was transported by ambulance to UMass Medical Center in Worcester.  Burlingame suffered minor injuries in the crash and was transported by ambulance to Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge.  The identities of the victims are being withheld pending proper family notification. 

This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section.  The Oxford Police Department, Oxford Fire Department, Oxford EMS, Charlton EMS and MassHighway assisted Troopers at the scene.

Due to the crash investigation and vehicle removal, Route 20 was closed in both directions for approximately two hours. 

No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.