UPDATE: Identities of the Middleborough crash victims released
By: News Staff
news@abc6.com
MIDDLEBORO, M.A. – The identities of the five people were killed in a fiery crash on 495 in Middleboro early Monday morning have been released.
State Police say a vehicle was heading south in the northbound side of 495 when the driver, identified as 31-year-old Valantein V. Burson, of Fall River, slammed head on into another car, which subsequently burst into flames.
“There is no indication that time allowed for evasive action by the northbound operator to avoid the vehicle traveling the wrong way,” said Major Anthony Thomas of Massachusetts State Police.
The wrong way driver and four people in the car that was hit were all killed.
Authorities say the other car was driven by 20-year-old Kraig A. Diggs, of Paxton and Osterville, while 19-year-old Jordan J. Galvin-Jutras of Hyannis; 19-year-old Jordan J. Fisher of Harwich; and 18-year-old Cory P. Licata of West Babylon, N.Y. were passengers.
All four were students at Massachusetts colleges.
“I’d like to express our condolences to the families of the five young adults that lost their lives last night,” said Major Anthony Thomas.
State police say there have been increased efforts to warn drivers before getting onto that stretch of road.
“Sometimes fate overwhelms us all,” said Major Anthony Thomas.
An investigation is now underway to figure out why Burson was heading the wrong way down the highway.
©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016
