State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 95 in Norwood

Today at approximately 2 a.m., Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Foxboro responded to a single-vehicle crash on Route 95 northbound in Norwood. The crash resulted in one fatality, and seven serious injuries.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Christopher Booth indicates 22-year-old Elvis Cruz of Lynn was operating a 2001 Acura MDX in the far left lane when the vehicle made contact with the guardrail. Mr. Cruz lost control of the vehicle, and the car veered across all three lanes, ending up approximately 100 feet into the woods on the right side of the roadway.

In addition to Cruz, seven North Shore men were in the Acura. One of them, Joel Martinez, 21, was pronounced deceased a the scene. Others transported to Norwood Hospital with serious injuries were Elvis Cruz; Yim Saroeun, 24; Pedro Hernandez, 22; Alvin Pejeda, 26; Alex Reynoso, 21; Remy Minaya, 22; and Roger Cruz, 23.

Preliminary investigation indicates that alcohol and speed may have been contributing factors. State Police have charged the operator, ELVIS CRUZ, with motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of alcohol, operating under the influence of alcohol causing serious injury, speeding and a marked lanes violation. Mr. Cruz remains hospitalized.

The facts and circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by Troop H of the Massachusetts State Police, with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the Medical Examiners Office. The Norwood Fire Department, Walpole Fire Department and the Department of Transportation assisted troopers at the scene.

During the crash investigation, the far right travel lane was closed to traffic.

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