Police release name of corrections officer killed in Christmas Eve crash on Route 495

A Massachusetts corrections officer was killed on his way home to his family on Christmas Eve.

According to Massachusetts State Police, at approximately 8:27 a.m., Troopers assigned to State Police-Millbury responded to reports of a single vehicle crash on Route 495 southbound in Hopkinton. Hopkinton Fire also responded to assist.

Upon their arrival, they located a 2004 Ford F250 that, for reasons still under investigation, left the roadway and crashed into the bridge abutment at the Fruit Street overpass on the right side of the highway. The operator, 24-year-old Ryan Gaudet from Framingham, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. He was transported to UMass Worcester where he was pronounced deceased. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

The right lane of Route 495 southbound was closed to facilitate crash reconstruction and cleanup.

The exact cause and circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by Troop C of the Massachusetts State Police along with the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section, and Crime Scene Services Section.

According to friends and family, Gudot was a corrections officer who hit icy road conditions.

“Everyone who knew Ryan says he could light up a room with his smile. He had the biggest heart and was always willing to help friends and family.”

A GoFundMe page created to help the family with expenses had passed $63,000 as of this writing.