STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE ON FATAL CRASH ON THE MASS. PIKE IN AUBURN

On February 18, 2007 at approximately 1:13a.m. State Police from the Charlton barracks responded to a rollover crash westbound on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Auburn that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Darren Specht indicates that 19 year old Ashley M. Wheelock of Bondsville, MA was operating her 2003 Dodge sedan westbound on the Mass. Pike when she lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over coming to rest on it's roof in the travel lane. Ms. Wheelock and 22 year old Meredith Wheelock, of Folsom, CA, were uninjured and were able to exit the vehicle. However, another passenger, 19year old Shannon Harkins of Palmer, MA, was still seat-belted inside the Dodge when a second vehicle came over the crest of the hill, striking the over-turned Dodge. 27-year-old Gary S. Kuhn, of Stafford Spring, CT, who sustained no injuries as a result of the crash, was operating the second vehicle, a 2003 Toyota Echo. His passenger, Sarah Y. King, 25 years old of Stafford Springs CT was also uninjured. Ms. Harkins sustained fatal injuries as a result of these crashes.

Auburn Fire Department assisted troopers at the scene. This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and State Police Crime Scene Services Section.

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

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