May 8, 2008 11:22 pm US/Eastern
Driver In Fiery Allston Crash Had Lengthy Record
Crashes End With Explosion In Allston
ALLSTON, Mass. (WBZ) ―
-
-
The truck then collided head-on with another car. That set off a massive explosion and both went up in flames.
WBZ
-
-
Timothy Newton maintains he blacked out before losing control of his truck.
WBZ
The driver who lost control and crashed his truck into several vehicles, causing an explosion Thursday, had a lengthy driving record, WBZ has learned.
Nine vehicles were damaged in a wild series of crashes in Allston Thursday morning that carried on for several blocks and ended with an explosion and fire.
A source told WBZ the truck driver, 38-year-old Timothy Newton, of Revere, said he blacked out prior to the crash. WBZ has obtained Newton's records from the Registry of Motor Vehicles, which indicate he had his driver's license suspended twice. It also shows Newton has been in several accidents and has several speeding citations dating back to 1987.
The crash happened just after 7 a.m. when an out-of-control delivery truck heading outbound on Commonwealth Avenue slammed into a pick-up at Babcock Street, knocking it onto the trolley tracks.
The tractor-trailer then slammed into five parked cars and pushed a parked Range Rover nearly a block before the SUV ended up crashing into the window of an insurance company at the intersection of Comm. Ave. and Brighton Avenue.
The truck then collided head-on with an eighth vehicle. That set off a massive explosion and both went up in flames.
Police say three people, including Newton, were taken to the hospital with what minor injuries. All three were released later Thursday afternoon.
A hazardous materials team was called in because there were medical supplies on the burning New England Delivery truck. Investigators were concerned about a highly flammable chemical on board called Xylene, a paint thinner that's also a cleaning agent. It did not leak, although fuel from both vehicles spilled at the scene.
New England Delivery, which is based out of Wilmington, had no comment.
While Newton's driver's license is active, he doesn't have a commercial driver's license. Since 1987, he has been cited several times for speeding and for failing to stop.
After being released from a hospital Thursday, Newton didn't have much to say about the incident.
"I really have nothing to say," Newton said. "I was told not to talk about it yet."
Fire department spokesman Steve McDonald said Boston police have begun an investigation. No charges have been filed against Newton.
A two-block section of Brighton Ave. remains closed.
Green B Line trolley service between Babcock and Blandford Streets was suspended for about three hours.
Do you have photos or video from the scene that you would like to share with WBZ?
Contact Us and be part of our news gathering team.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments