State Police Respond to Fatal Crash on Route 2 in Athol
State Police Respond to Fatal Crash on Route 2 in Athol
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Daniel Riopel and Trooper Paul O'Connor indicates that 29-year-old Steven P. Harte of Easton was traveling on Route 2 East in a 1997 Buick Riviera when his vehicle crossed over the center lane marking into the westbound side of traffic and struck a 1997 minivan head-on.
The driver of the minivan, 86-year-old Frank W. Wozniak of Dracut, was transported by ambulance to Athol Memorial Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead. Harte was transported by ambulance to Athol Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. He was then airlifted to UMass Medical Center in Worcester.
Harte was placed under arrest at the hospital on the following charges: Motor Vehicle Homicide by Operating Under the Influence (OUI) alcohol and Negligence; Motor Vehicle Homicide by OUI Alcohol by Recklessness; and Failing to Stay within Marked Lanes. Bail was set at $10,000.00 cash. He will be arraigned at a time and location as determined by the court.
Route 2 was completely closed for about 4 hours. Traffic was diverted through a weigh station on Route 2 in that area.
No further information is available. Please do not contact the barracks.
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