State Police Investigate Bus Rollover on Route 90 in Becket

On Thursday, February 19, 2009 at approximately 3:20 a.m., Troopers assigned to the State Police Westfield Barracks responded to a single-vehicle crash on Route 90 West, prior to exit 2 in the Town of Becket that resulted in three serious injuries.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Joseph Tetrault indicates that 63-year-old Stanley Novak of Glenmont, N.Y., was operating a 2002 Motor Coach Bus owned by Yankee Trails Incorporated on Route 90 West when the bus lost control, struck the median guardrail and rolled onto its driver's side. The front of the bus came to rest in the left travel lane, with the rear of the bus in the center median.

The bus was occupied by members of the Albany River Rats, an American Hockey League team. Three passengers, 21-year-old Nicholas Blanchard, 25-year-old Dwight Helminen, and 23-year-old Jonathan Paiment, suffered serious injuries and were transported by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. Two additional passengers, 23-year-old Casey Borer and 48-year-old John Hennesey, suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center. The operator and the remaining 23 passengers were transported by bus to Berkshire Medical Center for evaluation.

As a result of the investigation, Novak was issued a civil citation for careless operation.

During the crash investigation and vehicle removal, both the left and right travel lanes of Route 90 West were closed for approximately 7½ hours. Traffic was diverted around the crash scene in the breakdown lane.

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