State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 495 South in Bellingham

On Monday, July 2, 2007 at approximately 9:40 p.m., Troopers assigned to the State Police Millbury Barracks responded to a single vehicle crash on Route 495 South just prior to the Exit 18 off-ramp in the Town of Bellingham that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Brian Tully indicates that a 16 year-old juvenile male was operating a 2000 Ford Focus on Route 495 South in Bellingham when he lost control of the vehicle, exited the roadway and struck an embankment before coming to rest in the right travel lane. A 16 year-old juvenile male front seat passenger who was not wearing his safety belt was ejected during the crash and pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator, a 16 year-old male rear seat passenger and two 16 year-old female rear seat passengers were all wearing their safety belts and were transported by ambulance to Milford Hospital with minor injuries.

The 16 year-old juvenile operator, was issued a summons for delinquency by reason of the following charges: Motor Vehicle Homicide by Negligent Operation; Junior Operator's License Violation; Marked Lanes Violation and Speeding.

The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, the Bellingham Fire Department, the Bellingham Police Department and MassHighways assisted troopers at the scene.

During the crash investigation and vehicle removal, the right and middle travel lanes, the breakdown lane as well as the Exit 18 off-ramp from Route 495 South were closed for approximately 2.5 hours.

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

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