State Police Investigate Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash on Route 195 East in Westport

Today, at approximately 11:15 a.m., troopers assigned to the State Police barracks in North Dartmouth responded to a crash involving two tractor-trailers on Route 195 East, just west of Exit 10 in Westport that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Lance Mello indicates that a 2000 International tractor-trailer, operated by William E. Dupuis, 44 years old, of Onset, MA, was stopped in the breakdown lane of Route 195 East, with the emergency flashers activated, due to an unknown mechanical problem. A second tractor-trailer, a 1997 Peterbilt, traveling on Route 195 East, drifted into the breakdown lane and struck the rear of the International. The Peterbilt then went out of control and rolled over onto the median. The operator of the Peterbilt, Rafael C. Guevarez, age 45 of Lincoln, RI, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Dupuis was uninjured in the crash.

The left lanes of Route 195 both east and westbound were closed during the investigation and recovery of the vehicle. All lanes re-opened at about 5:00 p.m.

This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, State Police Crime Scene Services Section, State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section, State Police Detectives in Bristol County. Fall River Fire Department and EMS, and Massachusetts Highway Department.

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

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