State Police Respond to Fatal Oil Truck Crash on Route 91 South in Springfield

Today at about 12:00 p.m. State Police personnel responded to Route 91 South, at exit 11, in Springfield for a report of a crash involving a fuel tanker.

The preliminary investigation by Trooper Orlando Medina indicates that 38-year-old Douglas Shields of Indian Orchard, MA, was traveling on Route 91 South in a home-delivery oil truck when he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to rollover and crash in the roadway. The vehicle came to rest in the breakdown lane and began leaking oil from the tank. The tank was carrying about 2000 gallons of oil, of which 400 to 500 gallons leaked from the truck onto the roadway.

The driver, who was ejected from the truck during the crash, was transported by ambulance to Bay State Medical Center in Springfield where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

The cause of this crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section and the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. State Police Crime Scene Services Section, the Massachusetts Highway Department, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Springfield Fire Department and the West Springfield Fire Department assisted troopers at the scene.

At the time of the crash, the southbound side of Route 91 was completely closed to traffic and all southbound traffic was diverted at exit 13 (Route 5). At about 2:00 p.m., two lanes were reopened. At about 6:00 p.m., all southbound travel lanes were reopened.

This is all the information that is currently available. Please do not contact the barracks.

###

www.mass.gov/msp

Dial 911 on your Cell Phone for all Roadway Emergencies