Massachusetts State Police investigating fatal motorcycle crash on Route 495

A motorcycle rider has died after a multi-vehicle crash on a Massachusetts highway.

According to Trooper James DeAngelis, at approximately 3:25 p.m. on Thursday, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Concord Barracks responded to reports of a multi-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle, with serious injuries, on Route 495 northbound in the area of Exit 83 in Westford.

Upon the arrival of emergency personnel, they discovered the operator of the motorcycle was suffering life-threatening injuries sustained in the crash. He later died from those injuries.

Preliminary investigation reveals a 2018 Harley-Davidson, operated by a 78-year-old man, was being operated in the center travel lane. Just prior to the collision, the operator of the motorcycle switched into the left travel lane, then struck the rear of a 2021 Alfa Romeo SUV, operated by a 51-year-old man, that was stopped in traffic. The force of the crash then sent the motorcycle into a 2011 Chevrolet Impala, operated by a 41-year-old man. Neither operator in the passenger vehicles were injured.

The scene cleared and all lanes reopened at approximately 6:40 p.m.

The exact facts and circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation with the assistance from Troopers assigned to Collision Analysis Reconstruction, Troop A Detective Unit, and Crime Scene Services. Troopers were assisted at the scene by Brewster Fire and Police Departments and MassDOT.