State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 1 North in Saugus

On Saturday, September 26, 2009, at approximately 12:45 p.m., Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Danvers responded to a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Route 1 North, in the vicinity of Main Street in Saugus, which resulted in one fatality and one serious injury.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Patrick Ahl indicates that 65-year-old Francis Pare of Malden was operating a 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle on Route 1 North in Saugus when he lost control, exited the road to the right and struck a utility pole. Pare suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. A passenger on the motorcycle, 49-year-old Joanne Vasel of Revere was transported by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries.

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 Saugus Fire Department, Saugus Police Department, and MassHighway assisted Troopers at the scene.

Due to the crash investigation, Route 1 North was completely closed for approximately ½ hour. After ½ hour, the left lane was opened to traffic, but the right two lanes remained closed for an additional hour.

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