State Police Investigate Double Fatal Crash on Route 495 North in Westford UPDATE
Today, at approximately 6:33 a.m., Troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in Concord responded to a four-vehicle crash on Route 495 northbound in Westford, just south of Boston Road (Exit 32), that resulted in two fatalities and injuries to two other people.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Jay Foley indicates that a 2001 Honda CRV operated by 40-year-old Henry X. Obrien III of Templeton was traveling on Route 495 southbound when it was rearended by a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu operated by 21-year-old John J. Cousineau of Worcester. After that impact, the Honda then veered to the left, crossing the median and was struck by a 2001 Dodge Caravan operated by 40-year-old Joseph P. Dainis Sr of Leicester who was heading northbound on Route 495. The Honda then was struck by a 2002 International tractor trailer operated by 48-year-old Joseph Poirier of Hopedale, which also was heading route 495 northbound and came to rest in the median after rolling over.
Obrien and his passenger in the Honda, 46-year-old Gregory E. Butler of Fitchburg, were transported by ambulance to Lowell General Hospital and Emerson Hospital where they were pronounced deceased. The operators of the Malibu and Caravan, Dainis and Cousineau were transported by ambulance to Lowell General and Emerson Hospital with minor injuries. Dainis and Poirier were both wearing seatbelts. It is unknown at his time if the others were belted.
This crash remains under investigation by Troop A of the Massachusetts State Police, along with the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section. The Westford Police and Fire Departments, the Littleton Police and Fire Departments and the Massachusetts Highway Department assisted Troopers at the scene.
Due to the crash investigation all lanes of Route 495 North and the left lane of Route 495 South were closed for approximately three hours.
No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.