For Immediate Release - October 25, 2009

State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 395 in Oxford

On October 25, 2009, at approximately 12:13 a.m., Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Sturbridge responded to a single vehicle crash on Route 395 southbound near Sutton Ave in Oxford, which resulted in one fatality, and one serious injury.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Sean Quirk indicates that a 42-year-old Donna Mondor from Webster was operating a 1998 Toyota Corolla on Route 395 southbound near Sutton Ave in Oxford, when her vehicle lost control and rolled over ejecting the passenger from the vehicle. The passenger who was not wearing a seatbelt was identified as 52 year-old Rita Fairbanks from Oxford was seriously injured and pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator who was wearing a seatbelt, Donna Mondor, was seriously injured and transported to U Mass Medical Center in Worcester.

The facts and circumstances of this crash remain under investigation by Troop C of the Massachusetts State Police, with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the Medical Examiners Office. The Oxford Fire and Police Department as well as MassHighway assisted troopers at the scene.

The ramp was closed for three hours for the crash investigation and vehicle removal. No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.