EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
Mobile Beta
Merrimack Valley
Second-grade teacher critically injured in crash
Published: August 21, 2007
ANDOVER - A second-grade teacher at High Plain Elementary School was in critical condition last night with injuries suffered in a crash just down the street from the school.
Firefighters spent 30 minutes freeing Karen D'Onofrio, 58, of 2 Lebeau Drive, Middleton, from her wrecked sport utility vehicle, which hit a tree yesterday afternoon.
D'Onofrio suffered a broken arm, broken femur, fractured hand and pelvic injuries, police said. She was flown to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
D'Onofrio was trapped inside the Toyota Highlander after it struck a curb and then careened across High Plain Road and crashed into a tree around 3:30 p.m., police said. The impact of the crash pushed the Highlander's dashboard and steering wheeling on top of D'Onofrio, pinning her lower body.
Deputy Fire Chief Al Deldotto said D'Onofrio was in pain but conscious and talking as firefighters administered first aid and worked to free her.
Rescue workers positioned jacks under the SUV, the roof was ripped off and crews used a pair of pistons to roll the dashboard off D'Onofrio, Deldotto said.
"We had to make sure the dashboard went where we wanted it to go, so it didn't fall back on her," Deldotto said. "The guys did a great job. This is what they are trained for. And they're good."
The injured teacher was put into a MedFlight helicopter, which had landed at High Plain Elementary School. Wood Hill Middle School is in the same building as the elementary school.
Police Chief Brian Pattulo said it appeared she was on her way home from a meeting at the school in preparation for the new academic year.
Principal Brenda O'Brien went to the crash scene, according to police, but could not be reached for comment last night.
An Andover police accident reconstruction team is investigating, Pattulo said.
The accident occurred just beyond 256 High Plain Road. The speed limit in that area is 40 mph, Pattulo said.
Police kept that stretch of High Plain Road closed for about an hour while the rescue was underway.
Firefighters spent 30 minutes freeing Karen D'Onofrio, 58, of 2 Lebeau Drive, Middleton, from her wrecked sport utility vehicle, which hit a tree yesterday afternoon.
D'Onofrio suffered a broken arm, broken femur, fractured hand and pelvic injuries, police said. She was flown to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
D'Onofrio was trapped inside the Toyota Highlander after it struck a curb and then careened across High Plain Road and crashed into a tree around 3:30 p.m., police said. The impact of the crash pushed the Highlander's dashboard and steering wheeling on top of D'Onofrio, pinning her lower body.
Deputy Fire Chief Al Deldotto said D'Onofrio was in pain but conscious and talking as firefighters administered first aid and worked to free her.
Rescue workers positioned jacks under the SUV, the roof was ripped off and crews used a pair of pistons to roll the dashboard off D'Onofrio, Deldotto said.
"We had to make sure the dashboard went where we wanted it to go, so it didn't fall back on her," Deldotto said. "The guys did a great job. This is what they are trained for. And they're good."
The injured teacher was put into a MedFlight helicopter, which had landed at High Plain Elementary School. Wood Hill Middle School is in the same building as the elementary school.
Police Chief Brian Pattulo said it appeared she was on her way home from a meeting at the school in preparation for the new academic year.
Principal Brenda O'Brien went to the crash scene, according to police, but could not be reached for comment last night.
An Andover police accident reconstruction team is investigating, Pattulo said.
The accident occurred just beyond 256 High Plain Road. The speed limit in that area is 40 mph, Pattulo said.
Police kept that stretch of High Plain Road closed for about an hour while the rescue was underway.
