Westford Man Pronounced Dead After Crash in Methuen

Massachusetts State Police have released the name of Westford resident Kurt Kelly, who was pronounced dead at approximately 3:30 p.m. today immediately following a multi-car accident on 495 Southbound in Methuen.

The crash occurred near the ramp to Route 213 westbound.

Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey Plante, 35, of Newburyport, was operating a 2005 Toyota Corolla northbound on 495 when, for reasons yet unknown, his car left the road and collided head on with the 32-year-old Westford resident.

Plante also sustained life threatening injuries.

There has been speculation of a tractor trailor being involved in the crash, but the operator of that vehicle stopped to provide eye witness information.

Two other vehicles were damaged in the crash, but their operators did not suffer any injuries.

State Police believed that alcohol did not act as a factor in the crash.

Following the crash, 495 Northbound and Southbound was closed for approximately 45 minutes to allow the medical helicopter to land, with 495 Southbound being closed for another three and a half hours today to gather evidence.

The full cause of the crash remains under investigation.