Bellingham home destroyed in tractor-trailer crash, driver critically hurt
BELLINGHAM - A home in Bellingham was destroyed Thursday morning when a tractor-trailer slammed into it. The driver was critically hurt.
The truck, which was carrying construction equipment, was heading east on Hartford Avenue just before 9:30 a.m. when it went off the road through a front yard, crossed Nason Street and then tore through the back of a house. It came to a stop in the backyard.
"All of a sudden, I heard like a freight train come to the front of the yard, it sounded like a tornado," said neighbor Eric Banks, who was outside having his morning coffee at the time. "We look up and we see a truck go straight through the front yard, across the street and go barreling into the house."
Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Miller said the driver was still in the truck's cab after the crash. He was rushed to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester in critical condition, according to the chief.
Neighbors said an elderly woman had been living in the home but had moved out and the home was currently vacant. Police described the damage as "catastrophic" and added that the home will have to be demolished. Miller said the driver had a dog with him in the truck and the dog was fine.
Police Chief Ken Fitzgerald said speed doesn't appear to be a factor in the crash. He noted that there was no indication of braking at the scene.
When asked if the driver had a health issue, Miller told reporters, "We don't know. We cannot confirm that at this time."
Hartford Avenue between North Main and Depot streets was closed for several hours after the crash.