Posted: Saturday, July 4, 2015 12:15 am
METHUEN, MASSA multi-vehicle crash on I-495 southbound killed a Lawrence man and injured three other people Thursday evening, state police say.
Rafael J. Sandoval, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. State police spokesman David Procopio said Sandoval was ejected through the windshield of a 2015 Honda Accord after it struck the bed of a 2010 Kenmore flatbed tow truck in the breakdown lane just north of Exit 46 in Methuen.
Sandoval was in the car with another 24-year-old man from Lawrence, who was transported to Lawrence General Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Procopio said. Officers at the scene were unable to determine who was driving the car at the time of the crash. Procopio was unable to confirm whether the two men were wearing seat belts.
Procopio said the Honda veered out of the travel lane and into the breakdown lane "for reasons still under investigation." As it headed back into the travel lane, Procopio said, it hit the tow truck and a 2004 Acura TL operated by a 21-year-old man from Lawrence.
The tow truck's driver, a 46-year-old man from Salem, N.H., and the Acura's driver were both transported to Lawrence General Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Procopio said.
The tow truck was carrying a 2010 Ford Focus at the time of the crash. Procopio said "it has not been ruled out" that the person operating the car may have been under the influence, though the investigation continues, and other causes have not been ruled out either.
Procopio said the names of those injured in the crash will not be released unless they face charges.
"There is an ongoing investigation into whether charges are warranted," Procopio said.