Man Dies Checking On Victim In Multi-Vehicle Crash: Police

NEW BEDFOD, MA — A New Bedford man died while checking on a victim in a multi-vehicle collision early Saturday morning, State Police said. Three others were injured.

The crash occurred around 2:40 a.m. on Route 140 North at the Nash Street overpass in New Bedford. Police said it appears it started when a 2004 Lexus ES 330 operated by a 21-year-old woman from Fall River and a 2010 Buick Enclave operated by a 35-year-old New Bedford woman had a side-swipe collision. The Lexus was forced off the right side of the road into the woods, and the Buick was stopped in the left lane, possibly disabled with its lights off.

A Nissan Altima driven by a 20-year-old man from New Bedford traveling in the left lane drove into the back of the Buick. The Buick's passenger, a 39-year-old man from New Bedford, got out of the car to check on the woman driving the Lexus from the initial side-swipe. At this time, a Toyota Avalon driven by a 44-year-old man from New Bedford traveling in the left lane swerved to avoid the Nissan and Buick and struck the man crossing the lanes, killing him.

The operators of the Lexus, Toyota, and Buick were hospitalized.

The road was closed for four hours.