State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 290 in Worcester

Yesterday March 8, 2007, at approximately 4:13 p.m. troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Holden responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 290 East prior to Route 190 and adjacent to Burn Coat Boulevard that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Sean Healy indicates 47-year-old John P. Deignan of Worcester was operating a 2000 Nissan sport utility vehicle in the middle travel lane of Route 290 East. 58-year-old Charles E. Gauthier of Worcester was operating a 2006 Chevy sedan in the right travel lane of Route 290 East, and at some point the Chevy collided with the Nissan. The Chevy spun off the left shoulder of the roadway, rolled over and came to rest between the right and middle travel lanes on its driver's side. Gauthier sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was declared deceased at the scene. It is unknown if Gauthier was wearing his safetybelt at the time of the crash. Deignan was wearing his safetybelt and did not sustain any injury in the crash.

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 Worcester Fire Department and Mass Highway assisted troopers at the scene.

During the vehicle recovery and investigation the right and middle travel lanes of Route 290 East were closed for approximately 3 hours.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have any information regarding this incident is asked to call the State Police Barracks in Holden at (508) 829-4431.

No further information is available at this time.

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