State Police To Step Up Patrols On Route 24
BRIDGEWATER (CBS) - Massachusetts State Police will be announcing stepped up patrols on Route 24 following a spate of fatal and serious crashes in the past few weeks. Police say a number of factors were involved in the crashes including impairment, failure to wear a seat-belt and wrong-way operation.
On July 12, a Norton girl was killed as her mother drove her to cheer-leading practice on Route 24 in Avon. Sandra Oullette tells WBZ-TV her daughter was not wearing a seat-belt when a rear tire blew, and she lost control of the vehicle as it flipped over several times ejecting them.
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"In three seconds I could have said 'Angel, do you have your seat-belt on', and I didn't. We were in a rush, just talking, and didn't pay attention," she said. She hopes drivers can learn from her tragic mistake, and will hear the message being sent by State Police. "I really hope it sends a message to people to slow down and be more aware, it's not a racetrack," she said.
Oullette is still recovering from her own injuries including a broken elbow and broken rib, as well as internal injuries.
It was just days after her accident that a wrong-way driver caused a fiery crash on Route 24 in West Bridgewater.
A 19-year-old Mansfield woman, who was behind the wheel, was killed in the crash as well as a 44-year-old Rhode Island man. State Police say they will announce steps being taken to protect motorists on the road during a Thursday morning press conference.
Sandra Oullette calls her daughter the love of her life, who was passionate about cheer-leading. "Take a couple of extra seconds," she says. "Now I can never check to see if she's strapped in."
