Lanesborough Police Investigating Crash That Killed New Ashford Woman

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

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

New Ashford Crash Turns Fatal for Williamstown Man

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.