In a tragic accident on Monday morning, a 31-year-old Sturbridge woman was killed and two children were seriously injured when her vehicle collided with a cement truck on Route 20 in Oxford. At approximately 8:30 am, the unidentified woman crossed the center line and hit the cement truck. The impact of the collision forced her car into a third vehicle, an SUV driven by RobesPierre LaFleur. According to police, the cement truck’s front wheels broke off and the massive vehicle skidded several hundred feet down the road on its side before coming to a complete stop. Contact a Boston Injury Attorney.
8-Month-Old-Baby on Life Support, 2-Year-Old Boy in Serious Condition
The driver of the truck and the SUV received non-life threatening injuries. However, the woman driving the car that collided with the truck has been confirmed dead. An 8-month-old baby boy sustained life threatening injuries and is currently on life support, and a 2-year-old boy is also in serious condition. The children were both taken to UMass Medical Center in Worcester. The other two surviving victims were each taken to a local hospital.
The driver of the SUV is in agony over the accident. RobesPierre LaFleur was in serious pain after the collision, but he immediately ran to the car when he saw it had been crushed by the cement truck. “I was trying to help the mother,” LaFleur said. “I touched her, and I said, ‘Mom, are you OK?’ However, it didn’t take long to determine that the woman hadn’t survived the crash.
After checking on the woman, LaFleur saw the little boy in his car seat and attempted to get him out. “He was coming in and out of consciousness,” he said. It wasn’t until a few moments later that he noticed the baby, crushed against the door. First responders were able to free the infant, but he remains on life support.
Dangerous Stretch of Route 20
According to state police, the woman was driving eastbound on Route 20 when she veered into the opposite lane of traffic and collided with the cement truck. The collision sent her back into the eastbound lane, which is when she crashed into LaFleur. Several witnesses commented that this stretch of Route 20 is one of the most dangerous in Massachusetts. State police are diverting traffic and this part of Route 20 will be closed for an extended period of time.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys
When tragedies like this happen, they remind us of how fragile and fleeting life can be. Numerous factors can contribute to catastrophic motor vehicle accidents, such as distracted driving, speeding, and dangerous intersections or stretches of road. When so many potential causes are on the line, it is difficult to know where to turn. At Altman & Altman, LLP, our dedicated legal team has been working with motor vehicle accident victims for nearly 50 years. We know how to assess the details of a case to determine the best strategy for moving forward. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an auto accident, we can help. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and property damage. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free consultation about your case.