Lynnway Auto Auction Penalized For Crash That Killed 5

BILLERICA, MA – The U.S. Department of Labor and Lynnway Auto Auction Inc. have reached a settlement in a crash that killed five people last May, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Monday. OSHA cited Lynnway for 16 violations and penalized the company $200,000.

Five people were killed and seven others were injured May 3 when a 76-year-old Lynnway employee accidentally drove through a crowd on the auction floor.

Per the settlement, Lynnway has agreed to correct hazards and implement "significant" safety measures, including designating and marking non-driving locations, walkways and crosswalks; installing barriers in the auto auction area; establishing and enforcing speed limits and a safe driving program; periodically evaluating employees' driving capabilities and licenses; providing employee training; and reviewing accidents or near-misses.

"The settlement commits Lynnway to correct existing hazards, and requires it to take continuous action to help prevent future employee injuries or fatalities," OSHA Regional Administrator Galen Blanton said in a statement.

TrueBlue Inc., which supplied Lynnway with temporary employees as PeopleReady, also agreed to correct hazards, implement a traffic control program and pay a $12,675 penalty. It was cited for exposing employees to struck-by hazards, according to OSHA.

Patch Staff Photo: Renee Schiavone