State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 84 in Sturbridge
Preliminary investigation by Trooper John Denapoli indicates that 45-year-old Kyle Almquist of Marion, Illinois was operating a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe in the middle travel lane of Route 84 West behind a 1990 Acura Integra operated by 32-year-old Laura Robinson of New York City. As the Acura slowed down in traffic, the Hyundai swerved to the right, striking the rear end of the Acura. The Hyundai continued into the right travel lane and struck the rear end of a 2000 Ryder box truck operated by 46-year-old Marcus Perry of New Haven, Connecticut. The Ryder box truck then struck a 2006 Peterbilt Tractor Trailer operated by 35-year-old Lamonte Daniels of Newark,New Jersey.
Almquist, who was not wearing a safety belt, was transported by medical helicopter to UMass Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. A passenger in the Hyundai, 47-year-old Patricia Appleton of Alexandria, Virginia was transported by ambulance to UMass Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.
This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section. The Sturbridge and Southbridge Fire Departments and MassHighway assisted troopers at the scene.
To accommodate the landing of the medical helicopter, all lanes of Route 84 West were closed for approximately 15 minutes.
No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.