A 24-year-old Lawrence man was killed and several others hospitalized as the result of a four-vehicle crash Thursday evening on Interstate 495 in Methuen.
State Police from the Andover barracks reported responding just after 5:30 p.m. to reports of a crash along the highway’s southbound lanes, north of exit 46. Besides state police troopers, Methuen Police, Fire and EMS responded to the scene along with members of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
“One person involved in the crash was determined deceased at the scene. Several other persons involved were transported to area hospitals,” state police said in a statement.
An investigation revealed the crash involved four vehicles. State police said the vehicles are identified as a 2004 Acura Sedan, operated by a 21-year-old Lawrence man; a 2010 Kenworth flatbed tow truck, operated by a 46-year-old Salem, N.H., man; a 2012 Ford Focus that was being transported on the tow truck; and a 2015 Honda Accord.
The deceased was in the Honda Accord. Another 24-year-old Lawrence man also occupied that vehicle. He and the tow truck driver were both transported to Lawrence General Hospital with non-fatal injuries, according to state police.
Identities of those involved have not yet been released.
Traffic was diverted off of I-495 southbound at exit 47 and onto route 213 westbound. The ramp from Route 213 eastbound to I-495 southbound was closed and all traffic was diverted to I-495 northbound.
The cause and circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation by troopers from the Andover barracks with assistance from members of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section and troopers assigned to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.