Arlington Woman Dies in Route 2 Crash

An Arlington woman was killed Thursday afternoon in a car crash on Route 2 in Athol.

At about 3 p.m. Thursday, a 25-year-old woman from Shirley driving a 2013 Hyundai Accent attempted to pass vehicles in the breakdown lane and struck two cars, including a 2010 Toyota Prius, which crossed into the oncoming westbound lane as a result of the impact, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The Prius was then struck head on by a tractor-trailer, police said.

The driver of the Prius, a 67-year-old man from Arlington, was transported to Athol Memorial Hospital and then taken to UMass Hospital with serous injuries. His passenger, Carole Lawton, 68, of Arlington, was also transported to Athol Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said.

The crash remains under investigation.