State Police Investigate Serious Crash on Route 90 in Palmer

On January 31, 2007, at approximately 8:00 p.m. troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Charlton responded to a single vehicle crash on Route 90 East at mile-marker 61.3 in Palmer that resulted in one serious injury.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper David Perreault indicates 87-year-old Thomas Kelly of Springfiled was operating a 2002 Buick Lesabre on Route 90 East at mile-marker 61.3 in the right travel lane. Kelly lost control of the vehicle and it crossed the left lane striking the media guardrail. The Buick rolled over and came to rest on its roof in the left lane and a small fire began in the engine compartment. Two passing motorists, Gary Taylor of Albany, New York and Special Agent James P. Martin of the ATF in Springfield, stopped and removed Kelly from the vehicle. Kelly suffered serious, but non-life-threatening, injuries and was transported to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield by ambulance. It is unknown if he was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

This crash remains under investigation. The Palmer Fire Department, Palmer EMS and Mass Turnpike Authority personnel assisted troopers at the scene.

Both lanes of Route 90 East were closed for approximately 40 minutes during the investigation and vehicle recovery.

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

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