State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Fall River
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Neal Cadorette indicates that a 1999 Mazda 626 sedan operated by David J. Leonard, 34, of Fall River, was traveling the wrong way, going north in the high-speed lane on the southbound side of Route 24. Two vehicles traveling south in the southbound lanes were able to avoid colliding with the Mazda, but a fourth vehicle, a 2011 Hyundai Sonata sedan operated by Lindsey Mae Fleurent, 26, of New Bedford, also traveling south on the proper side, collided head-on with the Mazda.
The collision pushed the Mazda up against a guardrail. As a result of the impact from the collision, the Sonata entered the right lane and struck a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck operated by Ethan A. Anderson, 18, of Pembroke.
First-responders extricated Mr. Leonard from his vehicle and transported him to Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, were he was later pronounced deceased. Ms. Fleurent received minor injuries and was also transported to Charlton Hospital. Mr. Anderson was not injured.
The facts and circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the Bristol County State Police Detective Unit. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Fall River Fire and Police Departments, Freetown Fire and Police Departments, and the Department of Transportation's Highway Division. To accommodate the rescue response and subsequent crash investigation, the south side of Route 24 between Exits 8 and 9 was closed for 2 ½ hours.
No further information is available. Please do not call the barracks directly.