State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 2 in Charlemont

Today, at about 4:32 p.m. State Police personnel assigned to the Shelburne Falls Barracks responded to a two vehicle crash on Route 2 at Burrington Road (1165 Mohawk Trail) in Charlemont that resulted in a fatality.

The preliminary investigation by Trooper Eric Baumann indicates a 1995 Yamaha motorcycle was traveling on Route 2 eastbound in Charlemont and crossed over the double solid yellow lines into the westbound lane striking a 2005 Peter Built tanker truck head-on. The operator of the Yamaha motorcycle, 46 year-old Gilbert R. Wright of Charlemont, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the tanker truck, 54 year-old Grull H. Eckhard of Savoy, MA was uninjured in the crash.

Members of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, State Police Crime Scene Services Section, State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section, Buckland Police Department, Buckland Fire Department, Shelburne Police Department, Shelburne Fire Department, the DEP Hazmat Team and the Massachusetts Highway Department assisted troopers at the scene. Route 2 was closed at the location of the crash was closed for approximately 5 hours.

Speed was a factor in the crash, however the cause of the crash remains under investigation by members of the State Police and the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.

No further information is currently available. Please do not contact the barracks directly.

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