Car strikes wrecker in breakdown lane, killing driver of car in Attleboro

Early this morning, at approximately 2:06 a.m., an Attleboro Police officer was assisting with a disabled vehicle on I-95 southbound near mile-marker 0.6 in Attleboro. The officer had called for a tow truck to remove the disabled vehicle it was assisting. After the wrecker arrived, it was parked in the breakdown lane, unoccupied, when it was struck by a passing motor vehicle.

Troopers from the State Police Foxboro Barracks responded to reports of the crash. Upon arrival, Trooper Kenneth Downey discovered that a 1994 Honda Civic, driven by Michael A. Avelar, 26, of Stoughton, was traveling southbound on I-95, when for reasons still under investigation, drove into the breakdown lane and struck the rear of the 2016 Freightliner wrecker. Avelar was determined to be deceased on scene, as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

No other injuries were reported. Debris from the crash damaged the Attleboro Police cruiser. All vehicles were towed from the scene.

The remaining facts and circumstances of the crash are currently under investigation by troopers from the Foxboro Barracks. Troop H Headquarters, State Police Detective Unit assigned to Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, State Police Crime Scene Services Section (CSSS), State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section (CARS), Attleboro Fire Department, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner all assisted on scene.