Three people were injured and one killed in a six-car crash on Interstate 91 in Massachusetts Saturday morning.
According to state police, two tractor-trailers crashed around 7:00 a.m. while traveling northbound in Longmeadow. Investigators said they believe a 2014 Peterbuilt tractor-trailer hit the rear of a 2017 Freightliner when traffic slowed ahead of a line painting project further north on the highway.
The 2014 Peterbuilt then continued north past the initial site of the initial crash, hitting several other vehicles before plowing through a guardrail and stopping in the median.
The driver of the 2014 Peterbuilt, a 33-year-old Anthony Gentile from Thomaston, Connecticut, died at the scene, according to police.
The operator of the Frightliner was not injured.
Two people in passenger vehicle that were also involved in the crash were taken to an area hospital with injuries. Their conditions and identities are not known at this time.
The driver of a third vehicle hit during the crash who had minor injuries was not taken to the hospital.
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According to police, the Peterbuilt tractor-trailer was shipping bottles of shampoo that spilled onto the roadway, causing approximately 300 yards of debris.
Authorities closed the highway from Enfield, Connecticut, to Longmeadow and said it could remain closed for several hours during the cleanup and investigation. Traffic was being detoured on to Route 5.
Around 3:30 p.m. the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said on Twitter that all lanes southbound on Interstate 91, and one right lane northbound, were open.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
