State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Springfield
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Stanley Dewberry indicates that a 1998 Ford Expedition sport utility vehicle being operated by AMANDA JEAN LARIVIERE, 17, of East Otis, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 90 in the far right travel lane when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle. In the process of changing lanes, the driver observed a truck already occupying the left lane and she attempted to move back into the first travel lane. In doing so, the driver over-steered and lost control of the vehicle. The Ford entered the shoulder on the right side of the road and rolled over 3-4 times before coming to rest on its roof in the breakdown lane. A 15-year-old boy was partially ejected from the motor vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. The driver, along with three other 17-year-old girls, were transported to Baystate Medical Center with minor injuries. They reside in Great Barrington and Monterey.
The crash remains under investigation by Troop E 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. Although the crash remains under investigation, pending charges against the driver include motor vehicle homicide and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. She will be summonsed into Springfield District Court at a future date. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Springfield Fire Department, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the Department of Transportation's Highway Division.
During the course of the crash investigation, the far right travel lane was closed for approximately 4 ½ hours. Traffic was delayed for several miles during the initial response of emergency personnel.
The State Police do not identify juvenile victims.
No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.