State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 90 West in Hopkinton

Monday, March 12, 2007 at approximately 11:19 p.m. troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Weston responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 90 West at mile-marker 105.8 in Hopkinton (near the Westborough town line) that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Jonathan Brown indicates 44-year-old Tyronne Gadsen of Charlotte, NC was operating a 1999 Peterbilt Semi-Tractor (Car-Carrier) on Route 90 West when the Peterbilt was struck in the rear by a 2007 Mack Semi-Tractor-Trailer operated by Rhodes. The Mack caught fire and became fully engulfed while Rhodes was still inside. Rhodes was unable to exit the Mack, sustained fatal injures as a result of the crash and subsequent fire and was declared deceased at the scene. Gadsen was uninjured in the crash.

This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section, the State Police Detective Unit - Middlesex County and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshall's Office. The Westborough Fire Department and Mass Turnpike Maintenance assisted troopers at the scene.

During the investigation and vehicle recovery all lanes of Route 90 West were closed for approximately 3 hours. Westbound traffic was diverted off Route 90 West at Route 495 (exit 11A). At approximately 2:08 a.m. the left lane of Route 90 West was opened, but all other lanes remains closed for approximately an additional 4 ½ hours .

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