NEW SALEM — Authorities have identified the two Gardner residents who died in a multi-vehicle crash on Route 202 in New Salem on Friday, Dec. 6.
Gerald Patriquin, 89, and Margaret Patriquin, 74, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred just before 2 p.m., according to Laurie Loisel, director of communication and community engagement at the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. The Patriquins were the sole occupants of a truck involved in the collision. The other individuals injured in the crash survived.
The crash involved three vehicles, including a commercial dump truck. Emergency responders, including state police, local fire departments, and EMS, arrived at the scene following multiple 911 calls.
A 45-year-old Chicopee man and a 35-year-old Orange man, both drivers of the other vehicles, were treated for injuries. The Chicopee man was flown to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, while the Orange man received treatment at Athol Memorial Hospital, according to officials.
Route 202 was closed for several hours as emergency crews cleared the scene and state police conducted their investigation. The road was reopened just after 8 p.m.
The incident is still under investigation by state police detectives assigned to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, along with troopers from the Crime Scene Services Section, the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section.
Loisel confirmed that no charges are expected to be filed in connection with the crash.
