Home About Archives RSS Feed

Lanesborough Police Investigating Crash That Killed New Ashford Woman

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Police are investigating a one-car accident that killed a 51-year-old New Ashford woman on Thursday night.

Sheryl A. Surprenant of State Road in New Ashford was driving northbound on Route 7 when her car crossed lanes and went off the road, crashing through the sign for the former Lamp Post Motel, on the southbound side, said police.

Officers responded at  9:22 p.m. to the report of a vehicle off the road near the motel on Route 7. The Chrysler had flipped and was lodged in trees and brush.

"The vehicle was on its roof and in the trees. She was pronounced dead on the scene," said Sgt. Gary Kirby on Wednesday. "It was a very difficult extrication by Lanesborough Fire and EMS."

A passerby, who works in the tree removal business, reported the accident and began clearing brush until emergency responders arrived. Speed was a factor based on evidence at the scene and a witness account, according to police, but the rest of the circumstances are still under investigation.

The accident caused some backed up traffic but the road remained open.

Kirby was not on the scene that night but Officers Brad Lepicier and Robert Moore, and Investigator Timothy Sorrell responded along with Lanesborough firefighters, emergency medical services, and County Ambulance. The Massachusetts State Police accident reconstruction team is assisting with the investigation.

Suprenant, a Pittsfield native, resided for many years in Southwick before returning to the area.

     

Motor Vehicle Crash Closes Route 7 For Two Hours

Staff Reports
Lanesborough Police closed the road at the intersection of Brodie Mountain Road.

NEW ASHFORD, Mass. — A two-car motor vehicle accident led Police to close a section of Route 7 for nearly two hours Monday morning.

The accident occurred 4 miles south of the Five Corners at about 7 a.m.

State police said both drivers of the vehicles were transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield with "nonlifethreatening injuries."

Names were not available, but the crash involved a 22-year-old man from Agawam driving a 1997 Saturn coupe and a 59-year-old Williamstown driving a BMW sedan. Both drivers were entrapped in their vehicles and had to be removed using the Jaws of Life, according to state police.

There no other passengers in either car.

Williamstown and Lanesborough police assisted with traffic; New Ashford and Williamstown fire departments responded to the scene.

The state police Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section (CARS) was called to assist with the investigation.

Traffic was being rerouted to Route 43 from Lanesborough to Williamstown from about 7:30 a.m. until about 9:30 a.m.

Lanesborough Police were redirecting traffic at the intersection of Route 7 and Brodie Mountain Road. Emergency responders from Lanesborough and Cheshire also were reportedly on scene.

No further information was available but the investigation is continuing by state police from the Cheshire barracks. Any charges would be filed after the investigation is complete, said police.

     

Vermont Man Dies In New Ashford Crash

Staff Reports
NEW ASHFORD, Mass. — A 73-year-old Vermont man was killed in a head-on collision on Route 7 Thursday morning.

According to state police, John Killeen of East Wallingford, Vt., was traveling south in a 1992 Chrysler Lebaron at about 6 a.m. when he crossed the yellow line and collided with a 2006 Ford Explorer driven by Joseph Roulier, 57, of Pittsfield.

Killeen was pronounced dead on the scene. Police withheld his identity for several hours until family is notified.

Roulier was transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield with minor injuries. Both vehicles were totaled.

The crash is still under investigation by state police with assistance from the state police collision analysis and reconstruction and crime scene services. Troopers were assisted on the scene by emergency responders from Williamstown and the state Department of Transportation.
     

New Ashford Crash Turns Fatal for Williamstown Man

Staff Reports

 

Update: Frank C. Burgmaster, 52, died Wednesday of injuries sustained in the accident.

NEW ASHFORD, Mass. — A Williamstown man will be charged with driving under the influence for the third time after his pickup truck collided head-on with another truck late Tuesday afternoon on Route 7.

According to state police, Frank C. Burgmaster, 52, was headed northbound in a 1996 black Dodge Ram when he crossed the center line near Roys Road on the New Ashford Road just after 5 p.m., nearly hitting another car.

That driver was able to avoid a collision, but Burgmaster then plowed head-on into a 2009 red Toyota Tacoma driven by Savita Wheat, 22, of Pownal, Vt.

Both vehicles ended up on the center line and both drivers were transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. Burgmaster's injuries were described as serious.

Police, fire and two ambulances responded to the scene. Cars were forced to turn around at the scene and diverted to Route 43 for more than an hour until the scene was cleared.

Burgmaster will be summonsed to face charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, third offense, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and marked lanes violation.

Updated and rewritten throughout, 8:58 p.m.

 

Tags: head-on, accident, ambulance, DUI, fatal      
Page 1 of 1 1  

Support Local News

We show up at hurricanes, budget meetings, high school games, accidents, fires and community events. We show up at celebrations and tragedies and everything in between. We show up so our readers can learn about pivotal events that affect their communities and their lives.

How important is local news to you? You can support independent, unbiased journalism and help iBerkshires grow for as a little as the cost of a cup of coffee a week.

News Headlines
Mass DOR: November Revenue Collections Total $2.438 Billion
MountainOne Participating Lender in ONE, ONE+ Mortgage Program
Fairview Hospital Receives $1M Donation for Laboratory Renovation
J Smegal Donates $10K to BFit Challenge
MassDOT Grant to Optimize the Use of Drone Technology for Infrastructure Projects
MountainOne Participates in Williamstown Elementary's 'Words Are Wonderful'
American Legion Post 125 Be Our Guest Christmas Dinner Returns
Governor Announces Resurgence of Regional Transit
MassWildLife: 'Tis the season to see snowy owls
Ventfort Hall Offers Free Tour Admission for First Responders

Police Logs

Pittsfield Police

North Adams

Crimewatch Links

North Adams CrimeWatch

Stamford/Clarksburg CrimeWatch

Pittsfield CrimeWatch

Emergency: 911
Adams 413-743-1212
Clarksburg 413-663-7795
Cheshire 413-743-1501
Dalton 413-684-0300
Great Barrington 413-528-0306
Lanesborough 413-443-4107
Lee 413-243-2100
Lenox 413-637-2346
North Adams 413-664-4944
Pittsfield 413-448-9700
Richmond 413-698-3315
Stockbridge 413-298-4179
Williamstown 413-458-5733
West Stockbridge 413-232-7938
State Police  
Cheshire Barracks
413-743-
4700
Lee Barracks 413-243-0600
Shaftsbury, Vt., Barracks 802-442-3263

 



Categories:
Adams (92)
Alford (0)
Becket (8)
Cheshire (23)
Clarksburg (41)
Dalton (6)
Egremont (2)
Florida (9)
Great Barrington (34)
Hancock (5)
Hinsdale (5)
Lanesborough (30)
Lee (14)
Lenox (11)
Monterey (0)
Mount Washington (1)
New Ashford (4)
New Marlborough (2)
North Adams (248)
Otis (2)
Peru (3)
Pittsfield (318)
Pownal (16)
Readsboro (17)
Richmond (10)
Sandisfield (5)
Savoy (6)
Sheffield (5)
Stamford (31)
State (1)
Stockbridge (6)
Tyringham (1)
Washington (1)
West Stockbridge (1)
Williamstown (79)
Windsor (3)
Archives:
Tags:
Missing Persons Fire Shooting Crime Watch Motor Vehicle Stabbing Search Assault Hit & Run Heroin Drugs Motorcycles Break-ins Drug Charges Search & Rescue Armed Robbery Veremko Mvi Murder Burglary Buglaries Robbery Fraud Injuries Fatal Assaults Vehicle Structure Fire Police Investigation Motor Vehicle Accident Larceny Rape Homicide Accident Pedestrians
Popular Entries:
Superior Court Briefs: March 14 - March 16
Fatal Accident Closes Route 8 in Adams
Superior Court Briefs: May 2 - May 6
Woman Pleads Guilty in Sandisfield Fatal Crash
Superior Court Briefs: March 28 - March 31
Pittsfield Woman Pleads Guilty in Husband's Slaying
Superior Court Briefs: May 18 - 19
Superior Court Briefs: March 23 - March 24
Superior Court Briefs: March 8 - March 11
New Ashford Crash Turns Fatal for Williamstown Man
Recent Entries:
State Police Bust $3M Illegal Pot Growing Operation in Savoy
First-Responders Searching for Lost Hiker on Mount Greylock
Pittsfield Driver Injured in Elm Street Accident
North Adams Police Investigate Possible Shooting Incident
Williamstown Police Looking into Cemetery Vandalism
Florida Woman Dies in Motorcycle Accident
Pittsfield Fire Responds to Kitchen Blaze
Juvenile Arrested in North Adams Shooting
North Adams Police Seeking Information on Shooting Incident
Pittsfield Police Seek Information on Sunday Night Shootings