State Police Investigate Serious Crash on Route 2 in Erving

Today, at approximately 8:22 a.m., troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Athol responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 2 westbound beyond State Street in Erving that resulted in one serious injury.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper David Cahill indicates that 25-year-old Melissa Cronin of Orange was operating a 2005 Mitsubishi Gallant on Route 2 West, when she lost control while attempting to pass a slow moving vehicle. The Mitsubishi spun to the left, crossed the double-yellow lane divider and entered into the eastbound travel lane. A 2000 Lexus ES300 traveling on Route 2 East operated by 52-year-old Stephen Gibowicz of Greenfield, was unable to stop and crashed into the passenger side of the Mitsubishi as it was perpendicular to traffic. At the time of the crash the roadway was covered with snow and ice. Gibowicz, who was wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash, was transported by ambulance to Franklin Hospital with minor injuries. Cronin also suffered minor injuries in the crash and was transported to Franklin Hospital by ambulance. An infant passenger secured in a child safety seat in the rear passenger's seat of the Mitsubishi sustained serious injures in the crash and was also transported to Franklin Hospital by ambulance. The identity of the infant is being withheld due to the infant's age.

Although weather appears to have been a factor, this crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The Erving Police Department, the Erving Fire Department, Woods Ambulance and MassHighways assisted troopers at the scene.

Due to the investigation and vehicle recovery Route 2 was closed for approximately 2 hours and traffic was diverted off the roadway at State Street.

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

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