MILLBURY, MA — One person was killed and another injured after a wrong-way crash in Millbury that began with a traffic stop on the Massachusetts Turnpike shortly after midnight Saturday.
State police said the driver first pulled over on Interstate 90 westbound, then fled when a trooper approached. The vehicle was later spotted traveling south in the northbound lanes of Route 146 before the collision.
How did the crash unfold?
Troopers said they tried to stop the vehicle around 12:43 a.m. Saturday. After the driver escaped the initial stop, police issued a BOLO for the car and found it again about 12:55 a.m. entering Route 146.
Authorities said the wrong-way driver was moving in the northbound lanes when troopers attempted to stop him, including by setting out stop sticks. The car then crashed head-on into another vehicle near Exit 17.
Who was hurt in the collision?
Police said the wrong-way driver died from his injuries. He was identified Monday as Jeffrey Bowman, 27, of Connecticut.
The driver of the other vehicle suffered injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.
What response did emergency crews mount?
The scene drew a large response from Millbury Fire and EMS, Worcester County State Police detectives, collision reconstruction specialists and crime scene services personnel.
Traffic was diverted while investigators worked. All lanes reopened at about 4:30 a.m., according to police.
Why is the crash drawing wider attention in Massachusetts?
The deadly wreck came days after Gov. Maura Healey announced a statewide wrong-way driving safety effort aimed at detection, prevention and road improvements.
Her plan includes technology, better signage and infrastructure changes, following recent wrong-way crashes in Massachusetts, including one in May that killed State Trooper Kevin Trainor and another in June that injured a trooper.
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