Somerset Man Killed After Truck Breaks Down on I-195

SOMERSET — A Somerset man is dead after his truck broke down as he was merging onto I-195 Eastbound on Friday.

Massachusetts State Police say the 66-year-old man's 1996 Dodge Ram became disabled on the on-ramp to Interstate 195 East from Route 103 in Somerset at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Friday.

After the truck broke down, police say the man exited his vehicle and began examining the engine compartment with the hood of his truck in the up position.

At that time, State Police say a Honda Accord driven by a 60-year-old Swansea woman struck the Dodge truck from behind, forcing the truck to hit the Somerset man.

The truck came to rest in a ditch on the highway shoulder, while the Accord ended up in the right and middle travel lanes. Both of those lanes were closed for several hours due to the crash and ensuing investigation.

Both the Somerset man and the Swansea woman were transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital. The 66-year-old Somerset man was pronounced dead at the hospital. The extent of the Swansea woman's injuries were not immediately provided.

The Somerset man's identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Massachusetts State Police continue to investigate the crash.

All lanes have since been reopened.