State Police confirm what the Walpole community already knows: The Donovan family was involved in a car accident over the weekend that claimed the life of Joseph Donovan, Jr., and sent Marybeth Donovan and their son, to the hospital.
The following information was provided by the Massachusetts State Police Department.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, at approximately 6:20 p.m, troopers from the State Police Barracks in Foxboro responded to a single-car motor vehicle crash on Route 495 northbound, Exit 13 in Mansfield. Several 911 callers reported the vehicle, a 2005 Toyota Prius, left the roadway, went into the breakdown lane and into the tree line. Witnesses also reported to the barracks there were serious injuries and other motorists had stopped and were performing CPR on one of the occupants.
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Mansfield Fire Department arrived on scene, evaluated the injuries and requested a medical helicopter for one of the occupants. State Police closed Route 495 in both directions for approximately 18 minutes to allow for the landing of a medical helicopter for one injured party. The occupant, Marybeth Donovan, 53, of Walpole was transported to Brigham and Women's Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Two other occupants were transported to Sturdy Hospital in Rhode Island. We can confirm one of the parties transported to Sturdy Hospital, Joseph Donovan, 60, of Walpole has succumbed to his injuries and died. The other party is a juvenile and will not be identified. He was treated for non life-threatening injuries.
Find out what's happening in Walpolewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
After the crash, friends and family took to social media to say goodbye:
Joe Donovan @jdunny73 21 Sep -- Rest in peace dad I love you and will miss you everyday, I will try and make you proud everyday for as long as I live Love Joe 9/21/13chris costello @costy247772 22 Sep -- Walpole lost a truly wonderful man last night , classy,positive and genuine Mr.Joe Donovan Jr. you will be missed #joepatbrendandono
About the Investigation
State Police say the facts and circumstances of the crash are currently under investing by Troop H of the the Massachusetts State Police with assistance from the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services. Troopers were assisted on scene by Mansfield Fire Department and Mass Department of Transportation.
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