Tragedy on Main Street: Fatal Four-Car crash claims life in Reading
Photo by Matt Kaminsky.
(3-4 minute read)
The Reading Police Department is investigating a fatal car crash that occurred late Friday night, reminding us all of the responsibility we carry behind the wheel. Chief David Clark and Deputy Chief Christine Amendola reported that police and emergency services responded to a devastating four-car collision on Main Street (Route 28) at the intersection with Hopkins Street.
Details of the crash
At 10:06 pm on Friday. May 2, Reading emergency services received nearly a dozen 911 calls reporting a serious crash at the busy intersection. A preliminary investigation indicates that a 2006 gray Volvo XC70 was traveling southbound on Main Street at a high rate of speed. At the time, a 2014 green Ford Fusion was approaching the intersection, traveling eastbound on Hopkins Street.
Investigators believe the Volvo ran a red light and struck the driver’s side door of the Ford Fusion. The impact caused the Ford to spin into oncoming traffic on Main Street, where it collided with a 2014 gray Audi Q7. Meanwhile, the Volvo continued forward and struck a 2018 gray Toyota RAV4.
Photo by Matt Kaminsky.
Tragically, the driver of the Ford Fusion was pronounced dead at the scene by Reading firefighters and paramedics. The driver of the Volvo was transported to a local hospital, and a passenger from the RAV4 was also hospitalized with injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by the Reading Police Department with help from the Massachusetts State Police Collision and Accident Reconstruction Section (CARS). Anyone with information is urged to contact Reading Police at 781-944-1212.
A personal reminder: when another driver’s choice impacts your life
Reading residents may feel the pain of this tragedy personally - I know I do. Last May, I was involved in an accident in Woburn when another driver ran a red light. I was waiting at a light; when it turned green, I looked both ways before turning, but another driver sped through their red light and struck me. The crash pushed my truck into a telephone pole, totaling the vehicle. I was lucky to walk away with minor injuries.
Photo by Matt Kaminsky.
But the accident didn’t end that day. I spent two months without a car while battling with the insurance company for compensation. They delayed covering the loss of my vehicle, disputed my ambulance and hospital bills, and wrongly accepted fault on my behalf. I had to fight through a hearing with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to clear my record of the surcharge - all because another driver chose not to stop at a red light. The emotional distress and disruption of my life were profound, even though I had done everything right.
The ripple effect of dangerous driving
This tragic crash is a heartbreaking example of how one driver’s decision can devastate not only their life, but the lives of others - strangers, passengers, families, first responders. Every time we get behind the wheel, we hold the responsibility not just for ourselves but for everyone sharing the road.
The National Distracted Drivers Coalition reminds us that distracted driving plays a role in nearly one-third of fatal crashes - on par with drunk driving and speeding. And too often, the victims are passengers and innocent road users who had no control over the situation.
Photo by Matt Kaminsky.
Parents: talk to your young drivers
A recent study by the National Distracted Drivers Coalition found that more than a third of young drivers admitted to using their phones while driving. Half said they regularly text behind the wheel - even though they know the risks. But there’s hope: parents were named as the biggest influence on how young drivers behave. Setting a good example and having direct conversations about safe driving can save lives.
If you’re a parent or caregiver, talk to your teen today. Remind them speeding, running red lights, and using their phone while driving aren’t minor mistakes - they’re decisions that can kill.
Passengers: speak up for safety
The National Passenger Safety Week campaign urges passengers to speak up when they see dangerous behavior. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or colleague behind the wheel, saying something could prevent a tragedy. As Bruce Landsberg, Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, put it: “A distracted driver puts everyone in the vehicle and on the road at risk. As a passenger, you have the power to make a difference.”
Drive like lives depend on it - because they do
Photo by Matt Kaminsky.
When you’re driving, every decision matters. Every speed limit ignored, every text read at the wheel, every red light run carries consequences far beyond the driver alone. Let this tragic crash on Main Street be a painful but urgent reminder: respect the vehicle you drive. Respect the people around you. And respect the responsibility that comes with getting behind the wheel.
Because the consequences don’t just affect you - they affect everyone.
Sources:
(1) Youth Distracted Driving Survey National Results. (2025). https://usnddc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/NDDCYSNational-Results_15.pdf
(2) nddc. (2023, January 20). National Distracted Driving Coalition Calls on Passengers to Speak Up - National Distracted Driving Coalition. National Distracted Driving Coalition. https://usnddc.org/national-distracted-driving-coalition-calls-on-passengers-to-speak-up/
(3) Young, J. (2025, January 17). Is your driver distracted? Speak up! - National Distracted Driving Coalition. National Distracted Driving Coalition. https://usnddc.org/is-your-driver-distracted-speak-up/
