Police are investigating yet another fatal pedestrian crash after a cement truck reportedly struck and killed a person in a wheelchair in Southie this morning.
Massachusetts State Police troopers responded to a crash involving a cement truck and a pedestrian in a wheelchair in the area of Frontage Road and Traveler Street in South Boston just after 10:10 a.m.
“The pedestrian, an adult male, suffered fatal injuries,” Mass State Police said in a statement.
Police later identified the pedestrian as a 57-year-old Boston man. His name was not immediately released, pending notification of his next-of-kin.
The 2020 Mack Granite cement truck involved in the crash is owned by Boston Sand and Gravel, and the truck was being operated by a 53-year-old Medford man, police said. The truck operator was transported by Boston EMS to a hospital with possible minor injuries.
“No charges have been sought as of this time,” Mass State Police said Tuesday afternoon.
At 10:11 AM Troopers responded to a crash involving a cement truck and a pedestrian at Frontage Road at West 4th St. in South Boston. Patrols, detectives, and our collision reconstruction, crime scene, and commercial vehicle enforcement units are on scene. Updates to follow.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) April 2, 2024
This fatal pedestrian incident comes after a 4-year-old girl was struck and killed by a truck in Boston, near Boston Children’s Museum last month. Gracie Gancheva, 4, died following the crash in the Fort Point intersection of Congress and Sleeper streets.
Following that deadly crash, the Boston Transportation Department reported that it’s making safety improvements in the area.
“Last night, BTD restriped all the crosswalks near Congress and Sleeper Streets,” the city’s transportation department posted on Tuesday.
“Intersection daylighting w/ flexposts creates more visibility for drivers and pedestrians,” BTD added. “More safety improvements are on the way ahead of full reconstruction project planned for next year.”
Last night, BTD restriped all the crosswalks near Congress and Sleeper Streets. Intersection daylighting w/ flexposts creates more visibility for drivers and pedestrians. More safety improvements are on the way ahead of full reconstruction project planned for next year. pic.twitter.com/odiQ03me6V
— BostonTransportation (@BostonBTD) April 2, 2024
Against the backdrop of these two recent fatal accidents, a local group that pushes for safer streets is out with its annual fatal pedestrian crash report for Massachusetts. At least 69 pedestrians lost their lives in crashes in Massachusetts last year, accounting for about 20% of the 346 total traffic deaths across the state, according to the report from WalkMassachusetts.
Boston had the most pedestrian deaths last year, recording eight fatalities. Springfield had the second most pedestrian fatalities with seven deaths recorded.
The investigation for Tuesday’s crash is active, and is being conducted by troopers from the State Police-Tunnels Barracks, State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County, Troop H Detectives, and the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section, and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section.
