Massachusetts: • Driver charged in death of Southbridge tow truck driver on Pike
A man driving a 10-wheeled box truck that struck and killed a tow truck driver working on a disabled vehicle on the Massachusetts Turnpike was charged on Thursday with motor vehicle homicide by negligent driving.
Assistant Clerk Magistrate Paul X. Johnson found probable cause for the charge against Richard W. Taylor, 46, of Taunton, in the fatal accident, which happened about 3 p.m. Feb. 11 on the eastbound side of the turnpike, near Exit 10 in Auburn.
Mr. Taylor was traveling in the right lane when his truck struck the tow truck driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Taylor was not injured, according to police.
Kevin J. “George” St. Pierre Jr., 22, of Southbridge was the victim. Mr. St. Pierre, a tow truck driver for Sturbridge Service Center, had been dispatched to remove a disabled motor vehicle in the breakdown lane with a flat tire.
In addition to motor vehicle homicide by negligent driving, Mr. Taylor was charged with negligent driving, failing to change lanes for an emergency vehicle and marked lane violation. Mr. Taylor is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 5 in Central District Court.
According to his report, Trooper Ronald D. Ramos saw a white 2007 Freightliner flatbed tow truck with damage and Mr. St. Pierre lying in the right travel lane.
The driver of a car with the flat tire told police that Mr. St. Pierre was struck as he lowered the bed of the tow truck.
According to Trooper Lisa A. Mogan-O’Keefe’s report, the witness said, “That box truck up there (pointing to Mr. Taylor’s truck in the breakdown lane) ran into the tow truck operator while he was trying to hook my car up … It was horrible.”
According to Trooper Jonathan R. Bray’s report, Mr. Taylor said he had been traveling in the right lane behind another truck at 63 mph. Mr. Taylor said the truck in front of him moved into the middle lane and that is when he saw the tow truck and car in the breakdown lane. Mr. Taylor said he checked his left side mirror to see if he could move over, but there was a vehicle in the way. Mr. Taylor said when he was checking his mirror, he felt and heard the contact between his truck and the tow truck and/or driver, the report said.
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