Westfield Police Officers Christopher Coach, Michael Gamache and Sgt. Robert Saunders await the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section after a car crashed into a utility pole on Shaker Road this morning during a police pursuit. The operator suffered serious injuries and may have expired. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
WESTFIELD – A motorist who initially survived a 7:35 a.m. crash this morning on Shaker Road has expired due to his injuries according to multiple reports.
Police sources reported that the man had died at Baystate Medical Center and District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni said that his assistant district attorney working with state police investigating the crash told him that the man had died.
The crash had its genesis in Westfield, according to State Police Lt. Daniel Richard, who said that a trooper from the Russell barracks had attempted a traffic stop on East Silver Street at 6:59 but the operator did not stop and a pursuit ensued.
Richard said that the chase was terminated, due to safety concerns, on the orders of the trooper’s commander.
However, Southwick police reported at 7:25 a.m. that town police had spotted the vehicle which did not stop for a Southwick officer who then gave chase.
Richard said that state police did not attempt to re-engage the suspect.
Southwick police advised city police when their officer followed the suspect into the city and Westfield officers joined the pursuit.
The Southwick officer reported at 7:35 a.m., Richard said, that the fleeing vehicle had crashed into a utility pole on Shaker Road and the operator was ejected from the car.
A State Trooper walks through the scene of one car crash on Shaker Road this morning which may have claimed the life of the operator when the vehicle crashed into a utility pole during a high-speed chase. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe , who stressed that the investigation of the crash by state troopers is in its early stages, said that the operator survived the crash but “was in pretty rough shape.”
The victim was transported to the major trauma center at Baystate Medical Center.
“He definitely left the scene alive”, McCabe said, but said that there have been reports both that he expired and that he was revived by CPR.
McCabe said that the man has been identified but his name has not been released as there is uncertainty about where he lives and who should be notified of the crash.
McCabe said that the operator’s last known address was in Chicopee.
McCabe said that he believes that the trooper initially attempted to stop the car because the vehicle’s registration may have been revoked or expired but said that all further information would be provided by the Hampden County District Attorney’s office.
Mastroianni, who lives in the city, came to the scene of the crash for a personal examination of the site and an ADA remained at the crash scene after Mastroianni left to coordinate with police.
A section of Shaker Road was closed after the crash and remained closed at press time as officers awaited the arrival of troopers from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. Power was reported to be out in the area, as well.
