SOUTHAMPTON – Southampton resident Michel R. Laliberte, 74, died as a result of a head-on collision of two cars last Friday afternoon in front of Cumberland Farms at College Highway.
Southampton Police and an Easthampton ambulance reported to the crash site of a Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Taurus. The vehicles received similar damage with the front of both cars smashed and air-bags deployed in both.
The crash occurred at about 3:30 p.m. at 130 College Highway, and Laliberte was taken to Holyoke Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, according to the Northwestern district attorney’s office.
The driver and passenger in the other vehicle were injured and transported to Baystate Medical Center, the DA’s office said.
Several people who live in the area said they heard the crash.
“I was in my bedroom, I heard the screech and then the crash …,” said Kristen Chrzanowski who lives on College Highway. “It was so loud I thought it was in my front lawn.”
According to Chrzanowski, she saw the aftermath of the crash before responders arrived.
“I thought a car hit a tree or telephone pole,” said Southampton resident Autumn Fallon, who lives several streets down from the crash site. “I didn’t know it was two cars but it was loud enough to get my attention and run down the street.”
The crash shut down Route 10 between Pomeroy Meadow Road and Gunn Road for about 90 minutes.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation by local and State Police.
Reporter Sam Ferland contributed to this report. Sam Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com.
