State Police Investigate Fatal Crash in Middleborough
Pickup Truck Crossed Median into Oncoming Traffic; Two Other Victims Suffer Serious Injuries
Today at 9:22 a.m. troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in Middleborough responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 495 southbound, south of Exit 5, in Middleborough. The crash resulted in fatal injuries to one driver and serious injuries to both occupants of the other vehicle.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Derek Cherven indicates that a 2006 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck travelling northbound crossed the grass median and entered the southbound side of the highway, where it collided with a 2010 Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle.
The driver of the Tacoma, Lee J. Andrews, 63, of Carver, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Mercedes, Joseph D. Bronzino, 72, of Simsbury, Conn., suffered serious injuries and was transported to Morton Hospital by ambulance. His passenger, Barbara L. Bronzino, 69, also of Simsbury, Conn., suffered serious injuries and transported by medical helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.
The investigation into what caused the pickup truck to cross the median is ongoing. That investigation is being conducted by Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police, with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, the Plymouth County State Police Detective Unit and the Middleborough Fire and Police Departments. Troopers are also being assisted by the Highway Division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
The southbound side of Route 495 was closed for 2 ½ hours to allow emergency response, crash investigation and vehicle removal. The northbound side of the highway was closed briefly to accommodate the medical helicopter. No further information is available at this time.