State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 79 South in Fall River

Today, at approximately 2:35 p.m., Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Dartmouth responded to a single- motorcycle crash on Route 79 South in Fall River, just south of the Brightman Street on-ramp that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper John Connell indicates that a 2001 YZFR6 Yamaha Motorcycle, operated by 27-year-old Scott S. Copp of Fall River, was entering Route 79 South from the Brightman Street on-ramp when Copp lost control of his motorcycle and went across all three lanes of Route 79 striking the median guardrail. Copp sustained serious injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police, with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. Fall River Fire Department, Mass Highway, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner assisted troopers at the scene. Although this crash remains under investigation, it appears that speed may have been a factor.

During the crash investigation the two left lanes adjacent to the median were closed for approximately two hours.

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