Tragedy strikes again for Massachusetts family after mother/daughter of murder victims killed in crash

A Massachusetts woman who lost her mother and daughter in a murder-suicide this past summer has died in a collision.

Just after midnight on Friday, officers responded to reports of a crash at Parker and Cooley Streets in Springfield.

According to MassLive, Stephanie Croteau died at the scene and was the only person in the vehicle.

Croteau’s 52-year-old mother, Kim Fairbanks, and her 10-year-old daughter, were killed in an August 14th shooting on Berkshire Avenue. Another daughter was also injured trying to protect the 10-year-old.

According to the Hampden District Attorney, at 2:40 p.m., Springfield Police Officers responded for a report of shots fired. Officers arrived on scene and found an adult male who lived upstairs, later identified as Victor Nieves, 34, of Springfield, deceased on the floor. Officers also found an adult female, later identified as Fairbanks, deceased, alongside a deceased canine.

While conducting the initial search of the home, officers entered a bedroom in the home and located three children, ages 12, 10, and 5, two of whom were victims of gunshot wounds. All three children were rushed to Baystate Medical Center. The 10-year-old girl was shot and ultimately air-lifted to Boston Children’s Hospital where she later died. The 12-year-old girl was shot and recovered. The five-year-old-boy was determined to be physically unharmed.

Nieves, who lived in the upstairs apartment of the multi-family home, forcibly entered through his neighbor’s front door and began shooting at the occupants before turning the gun on himself and committing suicide.

Police continue to investigate Friday’s crash.