Stoneham car accident kills driver, passenger badly hurt

A Middlesex County accident on Interstate 93 has left one woman dead, a passenger seriously injured and a third individual facing drunk driving charges for crashing into the police cruiser and tow truck that responded to the scene of the first collision. Details concerning that accident are sketchy, although it was said to have occurred on the morning of Sunday, March 31.

The first car accident happened when a woman's vehicle struck a box truck that was parked in the breakdown lane of the interstate highway. In addition to the deceased woman, police indicated a Massachusetts man from Medford, who was riding in the woman's car, was seriously injured. Information was not immediately available as to his further condition or where he was hospitalized.

Following that accident, police say a 29-year-old Lawrence resident struck both the police vehicle and tow truck. He was injured in the crash and has been hospitalized under police guard, though the extent of his injuries was not reported. It was also not known if anyone else was injured as a result of the second car accident. Authorities plan to arrest the Lawrence man for drunk driving allegations once his medical condition permits.

Further details of both accidents will presumably have to await the official report of the investigation. The seriously injured passenger, as well as the surviving family of the deceased woman, may look to the report to assess what rights and responsibilities they may have under Massachusetts law. Though the second car accident was attributed by police to drunk driving, the accused person may also have interest in the report to decide whether or not he may have a claim under civil law for the injuries he sustained, particularly if evidence exists that the negligence of another party caused or contributed to that collision.

Source: Boston.com, "Fatal I-93 crash in Stoneham under investigation," April 1, 2012