There have been 4 fatal motorcycle crashes in Massachusetts since Saturday
The separate crashes in New Bedford, Belchertown, Westport, and Andover claimed the lives of four men.
Four motorcyclists have been killed in four separate crashes in Massachusetts since Saturday evening, according to local authorities. The fatalities followed news that seven motorcyclists died — and three others were injured — in a catastrophic crash on Friday evening in New Hampshire when a pickup truck collided into a group of 10 riders with the Marine JarHeads Motorcycle Club. The driver of the truck was arrested Monday and is facing seven charges of negligent homicide.On Saturday, two men riding motorcycles died in crashes in New Bedford and Belchertown. A third man was killed Sunday morning in Westport, and, on Monday, a fourth died following a crash in Andover.Here’s what we know about the four separate incidents and the victims in the crashes.
New Bedford
The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said state police responded to the scene of the crash around 7 p.m. on Saturday. Arriving troopers found the motorcyclist, 63-year-old Andrew Mindyas of Wesport, on Route 18 in New Bedford near its intersection with Walnut Street. He was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The DA’s office said the preliminary investigation indicates that Mindyas was traveling at a “high rate of speed” through the intersection when he struck a curb, entered the center median, and struck a large cobblestone planter. “No other vehicles were involved in the incident,” the DA’s office said.
Belchertown
A short time later in Belchertown, authorities say a 34-year-old motorcyclist died following a collision on Route 181. The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office said Charles Frangakis of Belchertown was driving a motorcycle southbound on the road around 7:45 p.m. when he appears to have “lost control of the vehicle while passing several cars at a high rate of speed.”The preliminary investigation indicates the 34-year-old crossed over the yellow dividing line and collided with an oncoming vehicle in the northbound lane. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the DA’s office said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Westport
On Sunday, police and rescue personnel responded to a crash around 6:35 a.m. in Westport at the intersection of Route 177 and Tickle Road, according to the Bristol DA’s office. Upon arrival, they found 67-year-old Cornelis Blom of Somerset off the roadway in a wooded area. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The DA’s office said the preliminary investigation indicates that Blom, who had been driving a Ducati motorcycle, was traveling in the westbound lane on Route 177 when he struck the side of a Ford Ranger as it turned onto the roadway from Tickle Road. “The operator of the Ford Ranger, a 48-year-old Westport man, remained at the scene of the crash and was cooperative with investigators,” the DA’s office said. “Alcohol or drugs do not appear to have any role in the collision.”As of Monday, no charges had been filed in connection with the crash, which remained under investigation.
Andover
Andover police and fire rescue units responded to the scene of a crash near the intersection of Whittier and Elm streets around 5:30 a.m. on Monday after a jogger called 911 to report a motorcyclist had crashed into a utility pole. The driver, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene.The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
