CHELMSFORD — A Seabrook, N.H. man working in a roadside clean-up crew on Route 3 North was killed this morning about 10:30 when he was pinned between a car and a tractor-trailer truck on the side of the highway.
Two men at the work site, whose names have not been released by authorities, were pinned between their truck and a 2001 Acura MDX driven by Juanita McKenzie, 33, of Lowell.
One of the workers, from Seabrook, was pronounced dead at the scene. A second male worker was transported to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston by helicopter with serious injuries.
A third car was also involved.
After striking the truck, the Acura made contact with a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier operated by 61-year-old George Peterson from Chelmsford, who was not injured in the crash.
Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Andover responded to the accident scene.
Preliminary investigation by State Police Sergeant Walter Hanley indicates that McKenzie was driving partially in the far right lane and break down lane when her vehicle struck the rear of a 1999 Peterbilt truck that was parked inside a work site set-up. The truck is owned by United Oil Recovery, Inc., a private environmental clean-up company.
The facts and circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by Troop A of the Massachusetts State Police with the assistance of the State Police Collision and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section.
Also assisting at the scene were the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the Chelmsford Fire and Police Departments, and Highway Division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
During the crash investigation the northbound lanes of Route 3 were closed for approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. The southbound lanes were closed for approximately 20 minutes in order to accommodate the safe landing of the medical helicopter. All lanes are now open.
