Tragic Plane Crash Shuts Down I-195 in Dartmouth — Two Dead, One Injured on the Ground
DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WLNE) — A tragic scene unfolded Monday morning when a small plane crashed onto the median of Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, claiming the lives of two people on board and injuring one person on the ground, according to Massachusetts State Police.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims as they work to notify their families.
The crash happened around 8:15 a.m. near the Reed Road exit, igniting a fire that forced officials to shut down the highway in both directions. Motorists were diverted as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
The individual injured on the ground was transported by car to Saint Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. Their current condition remains unknown, police said.
Video captured by witness Matthew Neto shows thick smoke and flames rising from the wreckage moments after the crash.
According to preliminary reports, investigators believe the plane may have been attempting to land at New Bedford Regional Airport when it went down. There was no flight plan filed with the airport, and the cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have taken the lead in the investigation, with assistance from Massachusetts State Police, as well as New Bedford and Fall River emergency responders.
Both directions of I-195 remain closed as crews clear debris and federal investigators work to determine what led to the deadly crash.
