COVID-19 Test Kits Survive Seekonk Crash

A car carrying coronavirus test samples crashed Tuesday morning on Interstate 195 in Seekonk, but the samples survived unscathed and the courier was not badly hurt.

A 49-year-old Rhode Island woman was delivering the samples around 7:50 a.m. when her Honda Civic came into contact with a tractor-trailer on 195 in the westbound lane near Exit 1, according to Massachusetts State Police. The Honda then reportedly spun out and struck an ambulance.

A hazardous materials crew was dispatched to the scene after first responders observed spilled liquid in the car. The liquid was later determined to be coffee. The Honda sustained heavy rear-end damage, but the COVID-19 samples were safe inside a plastic container, police said.

The driver of the Honda was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. The ambulance, which was reportedly carrying a woman to Rhode Island Hospital, sustained moderate damage. EMS workers arrived to complete the transport.

Another courier completed the delivery of the samples to a lab. The tractor-trailer sustained no visible damage and its driver was uninjured.

Three lanes were temporarily closed following the crash, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.