State Police Seek Witnesses to Fatal Lexington Crash

The Massachusetts State Police are seeking witnesses to yesterday's fatal four-vehicle crash on Route 2 in Lexington. The crash resulted in the death of a Gardner woman and injuries to four other people.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Sharon Basteri indicates that at 2:11 p.m. on Aug. 19 a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser operated by Shannon Gwiazda, 33, of Gardner, was heading eastbound on Route 2 when it veered to its left, crossing the grass median into westbound lanes. The Chrysler struck three oncoming vehicles - a 2008 Cadillac CTS sedan, a 2009 Kia sedan, and a 1999 Ford pickup truck - before coming to rest along the wood line at the side of the highway.

State Police are still investigating why Ms. Gwiazda veered onto the opposite side of the highway. We are asking that any motorists who witnessed the crash, or who observed the dark red Chrysler PT Cruiser on Route 2 eastbound before the crash, please contact the State Police Barracks in Concord at (978) 369-4100.

Ms. Gwiazda sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Cadillac's driver, Gina Ashe, 47, of Harvard, and the Kia's driver, Theresa Lamoureaux, 51, of Maynard, were transported by ambulance to Leahy Clinic in Burlington with serious injuries. The pickup's driver, Mark Saffie, 52, of Methuen, was not injured. Two passengers in the Kia, Eileen Kramer, 54, of Stow and Mary Tessari, 55, of Maynard were transported by ambulance to Leahy Clinic with minor injuries.

The facts and circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by Troop A 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.

During the crash investigation the roadway was closed for three hours for emergency response, vehicle removal and crash investigation. No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.